The cost to be transported by Dallas County Emergency Medical Services has increased, making it closer in line with other ambulance services in the area.

EMS Director Mike Thomason recently told the Board of Supervisors that their ambulance fees were considerably lower than many other locations. Their billing service, LifeQuest, gave Thomason some recommended rate increases, but even then the Supervisors felt they should go farther. They looked at EMS departments with similar call volumes and area of coverage, and decided a fee range close to that of Panora EMS was a fair price.

Previously, Dallas County EMS charged $635 for Basic Life Support (BLS), $735 for Advanced Life Support (ALS), and $13 per mile for mileage. The proposed increases bring BLS to $735, ALS to $970, and mileage to $18 per mile. Non-resident BLS and ALS were also raised to $835 and $1,020, respectively. The Supervisors approved the fee increases, which are effective immediately.