PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Fire Department is asking the city to increase ambulance transport rates, though there would effectively be no change for Port Angeles residents.
During a public hearing Tuesday, Fire Chief Ken Dubuc told the City Council it should allow the fire department to increase its rates, putting their prices closer to the average in the region.
Port Angeles residents and business owners do not have to pay the ambulance charges, so there would be no impact on them, Dubuc said.
Residents and business owners pay a monthly charge on their utilities to provide the service.
Only those who live outside of Port Angeles who need an ambulance within city limits would pay the increased fee.
The proposal is to increase fees by:
• Increasing Basic Life Support from $500 to $600.
• Increasing Advanced Life Support One from $650 to $750.
• Increasing Advanced Life Support Two from $725 to $825.
Aside from Joyce, Port Angeles would still have the lowest charges in the region, he said. Dubuc said 12 percent to 15 percent of transports are for people who live outside of city limits.
The proposal needs to go through a second public hearing, set for Sept. 20, before the council will consider adopting it.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
