FAQs • Texas City, TX • CivicEngage

Why does a Fire Engine sometimes come when I call for an ambulance?: Depending on the nature of the, call Fire engine companies will respond with the ambulance to provide additional help if it is a serious call. If the ambulance from that district is already on a call, the Engine will respond to provide help until an ambulance from another station or from a Mutual Aid City (if all ours are out) can get there. Texas City Fire Department has paramedic capable Engines which means many times you will have paramedic help there before the ambulance arrives.

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Emergency Medical Services

1. Who do I contact about a question with my bill?: You can contact the FRUSA at 800-244-2345 or EMS Administrator at 409-643-5705.

2. Why does a Fire Engine sometimes come when I call for an ambulance?: Depending on the nature of the, call Fire engine companies will respond with the ambulance to provide additional help if it is a serious call. If the ambulance from that district is already on a call, the Engine will respond to provide help until an ambulance from another station or from a Mutual Aid City (if all ours are out) can get there. Texas City Fire Department has paramedic capable Engines which means many times you will have paramedic help there before the ambulance arrives.

3. How many ambulance calls does Texas City have in a year?: There is on average about 8000 ambulance calls a year.

4. How many ambulances does Texas City Fire Department operate?: We operate three front-line units which consist of two BLS/MICU units at Stations 2 and 3 and a BLS/MICU Transport Rescue from the Central Fire Station. We have in reserve one Rescue truck and two ambulances that we can cross man in cases of emergency.

5. Does going by Ambulance get me into the Emergency room faster than going by private auto?: Admission to the Emergency room is based upon the severity of injury or illness regardless of how you get there. Someone with chest pains or difficulty breathing will go before someone who has a headache or a cut arm. The hospitals use a system called Triage where patients are evaluated and ranked with the more serious patient going first. Many ambulance patients will be sent to the waiting room if more serious patients are there.

6. What does it mean when a hospital is on “drive by”?: This means that for some reason the hospital has reached a level of patients where if any more are brought in they will experience extremely long wait times for treatment. Hospitals advise the ambulances of this so that they may go to another hospital that does not have as many patients. This is to provide the patient the best care as soon as possible.