East Windsor Ambulance Association - Paramedic Services

When should I call 911?
Who will respond when I call 911?
What can I do until help arrives?
Is there an ambulance fee?
Do all communities provide the same level of care?
What is a paramedic intercept?

When should I call 911?

Anytime you feel you have an emergency. If you are in doubt, call and let us help you decide if you or someone else will need to go to the hospital in an ambulance. However, keep in mind that 911 should not be used unless there is an emergency, or you have reason to believe you may have an emergency.

Who will respond when I call 911?

Depending on the type and the severity of a call, a decision will be made as to what type and number of units that will respond to the call. A typical medical call will receive one ambulance. If the call turns out to be a severe emergency, a second ambulance or paramedic intercept vehicle may respond if available.

What can I do until help arrives?

There are a few things you can do to help the ill or injured person(s) while you are waiting for help to arrive:

1. Stay calm and reassure the patient that help is on the way.
2. Do what the 911 Emergency Dispatcher tells you to do, up to and including instruction over the phone on how to perform some basic life-saving skills that you can initiate while rescue personnel are enroute.
3. Make the patient as comfortable as possible, but don't place anything underneath their head, like a pillow, to make them more comfortable. This could cause further injury. Never move the patient unless they are in danger where they are.
4. Try and secure any pets so they do not get away or interfere with any EMS personnel.
5. Have someone available to direct the rescue personnel to the patient.

Is there an ambulance fee?

In short, Yes. East Windsor Ambulance Association is generally supported by three sources. Patient billing, a contracted amount from the Town, and public and corporate donations. Most ambulance services charge a user fee and receive town funding. All ambulance fees are regulated by the State of Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services. The East Windsor Ambulance accepts the State of Connecticut universal fee schedule.

The fee schedule determines how much we can charge. But Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance companies decide how much they will pay. How much you pay depends on the policy you have. You are responsible for co-pays and deductibles as determined by you carrier.

Do all communities provide the same level of care?

No, The East Windsor Ambulance Association provides the highest level of Paramedic pre-hospital emergency medical care available in the State of Connecticut. Many towns still have basic life support ambulances staffed only by Emergency Medical Technicians. They utilize paramedics form other towns or some commercial services.

What is a paramedic intercept?

A paramedic intercept is when a paramedic service meets up with a non-paramedic ambulance to provide advanced life support care. Advanced life support is warranted when a patient's condition and need for treatment exceeds the basic life support level of care.

If you have questions, please contact us using the contact information page.