Frequently Asked Questions
Do you bill insurance?
Yes, we bill all insurance, including Medicare, and Medicaid
Do you participate with any insurance companies?
We participate with Medicare and Medicaid. We are non-network providers for all other insurance companies.
Do you have volunteer EMTs?
Fitch-Rona is a career EMS department so unfortunately, we do not have any volunteers at any level of EMS. We have 21 full-time paramedic positions and about 15-20 part-time paramedic positions. The district does have a few EMT/AEMT part-time employees who assist with special events, but they are selected individuals who have worked with Fitch-Rona in the past or are affiliated with the fire services that we work closely with. We encourage anyone interested in a career in EMS to reach out to some of our neighboring services that still depend on volunteer or paid-on-premises EMTs. A list of agencies in Dane County can be found by clicking the link below.
How do I become an EMT?
Emergency Medical Technicians in Wisconsin receive training through the Technical College System. There are a few different paths to becoming an EMS provider. Click here for a link to the Wisconsin State Department of Health Service EMS Website for some great information and links to training centers.
Is there a difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?
All providers start their EMS careers as an EMTs. The EMT level is the entry-level training to work in an ambulance. The EMT course is about 150 hours of training and is usually completed over one or two semesters at a state-approved training center. There are additional levels of training that can be completed after the EMT course. An Advanced EMT (AEMT) is an additional 120 hours of training that adds additional knowledge of medical emergencies, as well as medications and IV access skills. A paramedic course is an additional 1,800 - 2,000 hours of training. The training is focused on critical thinking and recognizing and treating medical emergencies and traumatic injuries in out-of-hospital locations with limited resources. Additional skills and medications are taught and integrated into simulations, clinical, and field experiences.
Why does a fire truck respond when I call for an ambulance?
Dane County Public Safety uses a system called Priority Dispatch. The call taker will ask questions and the dispatch system will determine a complaint and acuity code. Based on that code, the dispatch system is designed to send the appropriate resources to a call. In cases of reported very sick or injured patients, we have worked collaboratively with our respective fire departments to have a fire truck respond with us for additional personnel, and sometimes additional medically trained responders. On some occasions, fire apparatus is closer to a patient than the ambulance, and will respond to start emergency care while the ambulance is still responding.