Redding To Bill Residents for Non-Life-Threatening Lift Assists

City of Redding, California, residents will receive a new bill if they’ve called 911 for lift assistance from the Redding Fire Department. The Redding City Council approved a First Responder Fee of US$489 in 2023, which is currently being applied to calls categorized as “lift assists” — non-life-threatening situations in which individuals need help getting up after a fall or similar incident. Bills have already begun to be sent to lift assist callers, dating back to January 1. The goal of the First Responder Fee is to reduce the volume of low-acuity emergency requests that strain department resources and response times. The fees collected for such calls, and eventually all Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls, will be directly returned to the Fire Department’s budget to cover the costs of fire engines and trucks, equipment, training, and, most importantly, staff time. Eventually, this First Responder Fee will apply to all EMS calls to which the Fire Department responds. The First Responder Fee aligns Redding with many other California cities and states that have already implemented similar policies. The fees help address repeat calls from individuals who may be relying on 911 for routine assistance from the Fire Department.