The Westfield City Council recently approved a groundbreaking ordinance to address the increasing misuse of emergency services by residential care facilities for non-emergency incidents.
The ordinance, believed to be the first of its kind in Indiana, introduces a progressive fee structure for calls such as “lift assists” with no injuries, facility transports for patients without emergent symptoms, or routine transfers for doctor follow-ups. These services are typically managed by the residential care facilities or private ambulance services specializing in non-emergent transports.
In the first half of 2025, the Westfield Fire Department (WFD) has responded to 1,651 EMS runs, with nearly one-third originating from residential care facilities. Of those, approximately one-third were deemed non-emergent. “When we are called, we will absolutely respond,” Fire Chief Rob Gaylor said. “However, non-emergency calls can strain our resources, potentially delaying responses to life-threatening incidents.”
During peak times, WFD often handles multiple calls simultaneously, engaging two or more fire stations. This can commit half or more of the department’s personnel, occasionally requiring out-of-district support for additional emergencies. Such scenarios risk delayed responses to critical incidents, which conflicts with WFD’s mission to prioritize life-saving care.
