A county in California has created a "no-fly" list for residents who are considered abusers of its ambulance service. And the policy already has saved Fresno County taxpayers millions for around seven years now, KFSN-TV reports.
Dan Lynch, an EMS coordinator, told the TV station that the list began in 2011 after two men racked up more than 1,300 ambulance rides. Since then, the county has been working with American Ambulance to collect the names of residents who call twice a month for three months.
While the county is trying to keep people from turning the ambulance service into a high-end, ride-share program, residents shouldn't think paramedics are ignoring actual emergencies. In fact, officials are trying to use the list as a way to get people the right kind of help, directing those individuals to the right social services or mental health agencies.
"We want to get them help," Lynch told KFSN about getting help for those on the "no-fly" list. "We've always said we want to help them out of the system before we have to shut them out of the system."
