Below are answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Fire Department. If you have a question not answered here or on another section of the website, please email [email protected].

Why does a Fire Engine and an ambulance come when I called 911 for a medical emergency?

Roseville fire stations are strategically located throughout the city. Every Roseville Fire Department Firefighter is certified as a Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician, with at least one Paramedic on every response unit. 

In the event of a critical incident, time is important. In most instances, Roseville Fire arrives first on scene and provides patient care. Patients are stabilized and treated prior to being transported to a hospital. This often requires multiple firefighters and paramedics to ensure the person being treated is moved efficiently and safely. Roseville Fire Paramedics may transfer care or maintain patient care and accompany critical patients in the ambulance to the hospital.

Not all medical calls are solely medical in nature. For example, responding to a car crash might also require extrication (Jaws of Life) tools. A medical call to a home might also require addressing a carbon monoxide leak. Another caller might need help lifting a patient who may or may not be injured. In these situations firefighters provide additional skills and equipment. As soon as a situation is stabilized, firefighters may be released so they are available to respond to other emergencies.

In addition, we must be ready to respond to respond to a variety of emergencies. Not only do our vehicles have the equipment and supplies we need to do this, but having these resources with us allows us to respond to the next call as quickly as possible, dispatched from our current location.

So while it may seem strange to have a fire truck pull up outside your home when you’ve called 911 because of an emergency medical situation, our community needs us to be ready to respond to the next call as well, no matter what the situation is.

What is the Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee?

An Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee, permitted under Roseville Municipal Code chapter 9.27 and State law, is a cost recovery mechanism for first responder paramedic services.

Why does Roseville have an Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee?
Not all cities have firefighters who are also paramedics, as we do in Roseville. This enhanced level of service protects our community to a greater degree. First responder fees have become an industry standard among cities with this response capability to help offset the cost of the enhanced paramedic level of service provided by engine and truck companies. The purpose of the fee is to ensure that those requiring life support services resulting in transport to a hospital pay the costs of receiving those services. 


The majority of the calls for service that our Fire personnel respond to are medically related, and often are administered to non-Roseville residents (meaning people visiting to shop, work, or leisure). The Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee ensures the level of service is maintained and that those people utilizing the services pay the reasonable costs for those services. Only those who receive life support services resulting in transport to a hospital are charged this fee.

On October 7, 2020, Roseville City Council adopted Section 9.27 of the Roseville Municipal Code - Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee. This code adoption allows the City to collect fees related to the cost of providing emergency medical services that require transportation to the hospital by ambulance for both city residents and nonresidents.


Who is charged the fee?

Only those who receive life support services resulting in transport to a hospital are charged this fee.

How is the fee determined and who pays? 
The amount of the fee is based on the cost to provide services. This includes personnel, equipment and materials costs; a public agency cannot profit from a fee. This fee will only be charged to patients who receive medical life support services from a first responder unit (Engine or Truck) and are transported to a hospital by ambulance. Because pre-hospital care is a critical component of the healthcare system, most insurances cover the Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee. 


Don't tax revenues cover this service? 
The principle rationale for the Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee is that local government fire department services have expanded well beyond the traditional fire suppression generally supported by the City’s share of sales and property tax revenues .  The change in balance from fire suppression to medical services has shifted the rationale for funding fire department operations from primarily tax revenues to a combination of tax revenues and user fees.

Why have I received a Emergency Medical Services First Responder Fee bill? 
You have received this bill because you received medical care from a first responder and you were transported to the hospital by ambulance.  
If you received a bill, we may not have obtained your medical insurance information or your medical insurance does not cover this bill. If you have questions about your specific bill, please contact our billing company Whitman Enterprises at 866-385-6552.

What if I can’t afford the fee?
The fee is typically covered by commercial insurance, workers compensation, auto insurance, and finally private payers. A compassionate clause is also included to provide relief to private payers without the financial ability to pay. If you feel you cannot afford your bill, please call 916-774-5877 or email [email protected] to discuss qualifications for a possible fee waiver or payment plan.


Why does the Roseville Fire Department use lights and sirens when responding to emergencies?

The use of lights and sirens allows firefighters to respond safely, efficiently, and expeditiously to each emergency. If you are driving and encounter an emergency vehicle with their lights and sirens on, pull safely to the right and allow the emergency vehicle to pass safely.

What should I do if I accidentally call 911?

If you accidentally call 911, do not hang up the phone. Stay on the line and tell the operator what happened. The operator will need to know exactly where you are so the police can verify that the 911 call was accidental.

How do I reach the fire department to report an emergency?

Call 911 for emergencies and 916-774-5000 for non-emergency dispatch.

For normal business inquiries, you can contact the Fire Department at 916-774-5800 during business hours.  

Are Roseville Firefighters also Paramedics?

Every Roseville Fire Department Firefighter is certified as a Paramedic or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and with at least one Paramedic on every response unit, patients with even the most serious conditions can be stabilized and treated prior to being transported to a hospital.

What kind of emergencies can Roseville Fire respond to?

Roseville Fire is an All Hazards Fire Department meaning that our firefighters respond to incidents such as structure fires, wildland fires, medical emergencies, trench rescues, hazardous materials releases, confined space rescues, building collapses and vehicle extractions.

What is the Roseville Fire Department ISO rating?

The Department received an ISO Public Protection Classification rating of 2 in January of 2021.

How can I find out about employment opportunities?

You can sign up to be notified of job opportunities here: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CAROSEVILLE/subscriber/new

How do I obtain a fire incident report?

Please complete and submit the request form.