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Embraer911

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Hello all!

I just registered on this site and I am very impressed so far.

I am looking for some feedback on this idea.

One thing that I have always wanted to do is to start my own ambulance service. In this economy, job security is huge. I have a full-time job outside of EMS, but I want to do more with my life.

Anyone have any thoughts on this idea (pros and cons)?

Thanks in advance.
 
Bad idea. The following is an excerpt on a feasibility study done in 2006 for a specific township.

I was able to determine that an ambulance can cost anywhere from $60,000.00 on the low end up to $180,000.00 with about $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 being the average price paid for an ambulance. The cost to equip each ambulance can cost in the area of $24,000.00 - $100,000.00 depending on items purchased. The average life expectancy of an ambulance was considered to be about five years with the more expensive vehicles providing up to eight years of service. The start up costs for a fleet of three ambulances could take five years to recoup. There are other costs involved to include; collection fees, liability insurance, vehicle and equipment repairs, maintenance plans, daily supplies, pay differential, cost of Medical Director, and personnel training.
Summary:
I have concluded that each of these communities have established a thriving ambulance service based on one of two principles; either they are able to afford the manpower because they are supported by part time personnel who are not receiving fringe benefits or they are primarily funded by tax levies.
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If you have that kind of capital and/or backing, put it into something not being pressured by the weight of a national organization to put the privates out of business. (read fire)
 
I will tell you from experience. You better have major capital behind you! As in 250-300k to start.

I recently got out of my partnership in a private service. The headaches will run you into the ground.

Ambulance and supply costs are not that bad. No new transport service is buying new ambulances at 80-100k. They are buying decent used units at 15-20k. stocking a BLS unit will run you about 5-8k each.

The headache comes with collections, bills and payroll. You have to have the capital to keep the business afloat for the first year, until collections are rolling in.

Medicare and Medicaid are the biggest red tape you deal with. Private insurance is not to bad.

If you want more specific details on it, you can PM me.
 
Other headaches (region specefic) are going to be just getting calls. At least around here, you either need huge infrastructure, or a REALLY hot marketing person to get transport contracts, or a really desperate city to get a 911 contract. A service I worked for this summer ran into this problem.
 
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