About Rolesville EMS

About Rolesville EMS
The Rolesville EMS department began operations on July 1, 1995 despite the fact that Wake County was unable to support EMS operations in Rolesville. During the first two years of operation, emergency services were run without any Wake County funding. Since that time Wake County has funded EMS operations and this has led to a vast improvement in emergency services. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, which meets on a monthly basis at our station. The business meetings are always open to the public. The public is encouraged to come. The BOD is primarily responsible for the financial management of the department. The Chief of Rolesville EMS answers to the BOD and is responsible for all other operations of the department. The Department is now in its new state of the art emergency facility. The new station is equipped with equipment such as a generator previously not available at the old facility. The generator is critical because it allows emergency services to continue on within the building without service interruption. The building site is next door to the current location of the Rolesville Town Hall. The building project was a joint venture between Wake County and us, with the County supplying the money for the basic station and our providing the land and extra money for the additional space we required. Our money for operations comes from several sources. First, we bill for services rendered. Our fees are set and approved by the Wake County commissioners and are the same across Wake County. We also bill for mileage when we transport. Second, we participate in the membership plan that allows subscribers to pay $60 per year for unlimited emergency ambulance transports. We still bill the patient's insurance, however, but the patient isn't liable for any costs not covered by insurance. This is also a benefit for those without insurance, because a one-time fee again covers all emergency transports during the year. This usually generates about $30,000 for our department. Third, we have a picture fund drive each year, usually during the fall. Solicitors go door-to-door, collecting money for our organization. Anyone who donates at least $35 is entitled to a free portrait picture. This program seems to be popular with our citizens, who often buy a lot of pictures for Christmas gifts. Usually, we make $15,000 - $20,000 on this fund drive. We receive some donations from citizens and corporations each year. The Town of Rolesville usually donates a minimum of $1,000 each spring. Wake County makes up the difference in our budget each year. Like the Fire Department, we submit a budget to Wake County each spring and we receive the balance of our support through quarterly payments. Unlike the Fire Department our service is not specially covered by a tax. In the event of a disaster, whether it is caused by nature or man-made, we are the lead EMS agency for events that occur in our territory. If we need additional resources, the ranking Rolesville EMS officer or paramedic calls our communications center and requests them. Wake County Emergency Management also helps us in the event of an emergency, if we request their assistance. Our department operates two ambulances, per our contract with Wake County. The number of contracted ambulances varies from area to area and is based on call volume. Our call volume has tripled since we began operations in 1995 and we anticipate that calls for service will continue to increase about 10% per year. We participate in various activities throughout the year. Both of our ambulances are in the annual parade, unless one or both trucks are on calls. We send trucks to various town functions, including July Fourth and Recreation Day activities. We bring our ambulances to the schools and daycares in the territory to show to the children so that they won't be afraid of us when our services are needed. Often, civic groups will ask us to teach a first aid or CPR class and we have always accommodated these requests. We have supported one of the local Boy Scout troops every year by sending one of their needy boys to their summer camp.

About Rolesville EMS

The Rolesville EMS department began operations on July 1, 1995 despite the fact that Wake County was unable to support EMS operations in Rolesville. During the first two years of operation, emergency services were run without any Wake County funding. Since that time Wake County has funded EMS operations and this has led to a vast improvement in emergency services.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors, which meets on a monthly basis at our station. The business meetings are always open to the public. The public is encouraged to come. The BOD is primarily responsible for the financial management of the department. The Chief of Rolesville EMS answers to the BOD and is responsible for all other operations of the department.

The Department is now in its new state of the art emergency facility. The new station is equipped with equipment such as a generator previously not available at the old facility. The generator is critical because it allows emergency services to continue on within the building without service interruption. The building site is next door to the current location of the Rolesville Town Hall. The building project was a joint venture between Wake County and us, with the County supplying the money for the basic station and our providing the land and extra money for the additional space we required.

Our money for operations comes from several sources. First, we bill for services rendered. Our fees are set and approved by the Wake County commissioners and are the same across Wake County. We also bill for mileage when we transport.

Second, we participate in the membership plan that allows subscribers to pay $60 per year for unlimited emergency ambulance transports. We still bill the patient's insurance, however, but the patient isn't liable for any costs not covered by insurance. This is also a benefit for those without insurance, because a one-time fee again covers all emergency transports during the year. This usually generates about $30,000 for our department.

Third, we have a picture fund drive each year, usually during the fall. Solicitors go door-to-door, collecting money for our organization. Anyone who donates at least $35 is entitled to a free portrait picture. This program seems to be popular with our citizens, who often buy a lot of pictures for Christmas gifts. Usually, we make $15,000 - $20,000 on this fund drive.

We receive some donations from citizens and corporations each year. The Town of Rolesville usually donates a minimum of $1,000 each spring.

Wake County makes up the difference in our budget each year. Like the Fire Department, we submit a budget to Wake County each spring and we receive the balance of our support through quarterly payments. Unlike the Fire Department our service is not specially covered by a tax.

In the event of a disaster, whether it is caused by nature or man-made, we are the lead EMS agency for events that occur in our territory. If we need additional resources, the ranking Rolesville EMS officer or paramedic calls our communications center and requests them. Wake County Emergency Management also helps us in the event of an emergency, if we request their assistance.

Our department operates two ambulances, per our contract with Wake County. The number of contracted ambulances varies from area to area and is based on call volume. Our call volume has tripled since we began operations in 1995 and we anticipate that calls for service will continue to increase about 10% per year.

We participate in various activities throughout the year. Both of our ambulances are in the annual parade, unless one or both trucks are on calls. We send trucks to various town functions, including July Fourth and Recreation Day activities. We bring our ambulances to the schools and daycares in the territory to show to the children so that they won't be afraid of us when our services are needed. Often, civic groups will ask us to teach a first aid or CPR class and we have always accommodated these requests. We have supported one of the local Boy Scout troops every year by sending one of their needy boys to their summer camp.