Fire department offers insurance

DOWNEY - Downey homeowners may notice an additional $48 charge on their water bill as the enrollment period has opened for the fire department's Emergency Medical Transport Program.The program is supplemental insurance that eliminates additional out-of-pocket expenses for residents who find themselves in need of emergency medical transportation. Without the supplemental insurance, the cost of each paramedic transport starts at $1,521. Basic life support transportation starts at $1,028. The $48 subscription fee covers all permanent household residents between March 1, 2013 and Feb. 28, 2014. Fire department officials say the program helps offset the costs of staffing two paramedic squads and a basic life support ambulance. The fire department transports 4,500 residents to the hospital each year. To enroll in the program, residents should add the $48 to their water bill payment. Residents who live in apartments or condos, or who do not receive water bills, can sign up by visiting the City Hall cashier or calling (562) 904-7254.

********** Published: January 24, 2013 - Volume 11 - Issue 41