Ambulance Service
Dear Residents of the City of Belvidere,
For almost 2 months now, the City of Belvidere Fire Department has been serving the community with two ALS ambulances. We are committed to providing you excellent service when you need it most. We want to post here to briefly explain our billing rates and let you know how to get more information or provide feedback.
As you may know, the entire county has had to adjust to the sale of OSF Lifeline Ambulance to Elite Medical Transport. Elite’s proposal to the City to provide two dedicated ambulances was $1,400,000 plus billing revenue. We choose a different option which costs less, and allows us to ensure high quality EMS services.
We are making every effort to avoid tax increases to cover the unforeseen costs of providing Ambulance Services. What this means for our citizens, if you have the unfortunate circumstance of needing Ambulance Services, you will continue to receive a bill for emergency transport even though the ambulance has “Belvidere Fire” on the side of it.
The billing rates were established by comparing the rates charged by the municipalities and fire districts in our area. The rates are $2,100 for ALS services and $1,900 for BLS services plus $21 dollars per loaded mile. These rates are slightly below average for our area.
Even with billing, the net cost of the service is expected to be close to $1,000,000 in year 1, and about $800,000 each year moving forward. (The net cost is the difference between the cost and billing revenue)
We have always taken great pride in not having to bill for any of the services provided by the Belvidere Fire Department, but we also know that increasing taxes is not a good solution either.
For more information, please review the Council meeting where the rates were discussed below.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Chief Schadle or your Alderperson.
You may also contact us on our website:
Sincerely,
Chief Schadle
Ambulance RPF Results: January 23, 2023 (Begin 00:08:44)
Rates Ordinance: March 13th, 2023 (Begin 01:26:56)
