BUENA PARK : Paramedic Services Fee Program OKd

All residents will be asked to pay a $36 annual subscription fee for paramedic services or pay a bigger fee for the service if they use it under a program approved Monday by the City Council.

The Paramedic Subscription program is an attempt to offset the cost of providing emergency services to residents and to bolster the ailing budget, officials said.

Under the program, residents and business owners may pay the single annual fee of $36, which covers all members of a household and up to 10 employees. Ambulance fees remain a separate expense.

“If they opt to pay, they have unlimited access,” said Fire Marshal Don Tully.

Those who choose not to participate will be charged on a “per-use” basis. Depending on the type of emergency, the bill will be between $125 and $250.

“The obvious emphasis is to get people to subscribe,” Tully said.

Exemptions were included for those who may have trouble paying, including senior citizens, the disabled and low-income residents.

The cost of paramedic services is more than $1.1 million, Tully said. During the recent budget sessions, the city faced a budget deficit exceeding $1 million.

The program is expected to recoup as much as 50% of the cost, Tully said. At least a 30% participation rate is expected, he said.