1. What’s the difference between private and public ambulance services?
First Call Ambulance Service is a private company that provides services mostly in a “controlled” environment, seldom for emergency purposes that public ambulances serve. We transport patients from facility to facility on a scheduled or on-demand basis.
2. Do you provide emergency 911-type service?
No. First Call provides scheduled ambulance transport, though we also meet the needs of healthcare facilities, professionals and patients as unexpected needs emerge. However, we are licensed as an Emergency Ambulance Service and do provide transportation in critical situations from facility to facility. (e.g., NICU runs, Cardiac Interventions, STEMI transports)
3. What cities or areas do your ambulances serve?
First Call ambulances currently transports throughout Tennessee and Mississippi. We are a community-based business and have the following locations: Nashville, Memphis, Clarksville, Columbia, Dickson, La Vergne, and Knoxville and we have recently added locations in Southaven, MS and Springfield, TN.
4. Do you do out-of-town transports?
Yes. We may transport out-of-state upon request as long as the transport originates in the State of Tennessee or Mississippi.
5. Can you pick up out of state?
No. First Call Ambulance can transport out-of-state upon request by the facilities, but the transport must originate within the State of Tennessee or Mississippi.
6. Can a family member ride in the ambulance with the patient?
Family members may ride up front in the passenger seat. For safety reasons, First Call does not allow family members to ride in the back of the ambulance. If we are transporting a pediatric patient who is not in critical condition, we will allow a parent to ride in the back for comfort measures, but the parent must wear a seatbelt.
7. Is your ambulance staff licensed and certified?
Yes. All of our ambulances are staffed with licensed personnel, certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics who are trained and experienced in providing top-quality clinical care.
8. How do I become an EMT?
Please see our “Resources” link on this website.
9. What do you mean by “we do not hire drivers”?
First Call ambulances are staffed with trained healthcare professionals, not vehicle drivers. Our ambulances are staffed by certified EMTs and Paramedics.
10. Can only healthcare facilities arrange transport through you?
No. While most of our requests for transport do come from healthcare facilities in need of seeing or transporting their patients, any family member, caregiver, patient or healthcare facility can arrange transport.
11. Are your ambulance services covered by health insurance?
First Call has an in-house billing department, and we do bill all insurance companies and Medicare. Coverage may depend on the patient’s particular health insurance plan.
12. Do you bill insurance companies and/or Medicare?
Yes. As noted above, First Call bills all insurance companies including TennCare and Medicare.
13. Do you accept credit cards?
Yes. First Call accepts most major credit cards.
14. In what form do you accept payments?
We honor most major credit cards and insurance payments. We also accept checks and cash.
15. Do you offer any special staff services to the facilities you serve?
Yes. First Call Ambulance Service values the relationships we build with healthcare professionals. We provide many value-added services for contracted healthcare facilities. These include on-site CPR classes, CME classes and in-service education training on insurance, ACLS, PALS and ITLS certification for staff.
16. How does a person apply for employment with First Call?
We are always seeking talented people to join the First Call team. Visit the “Employment” link on this website to download and submit your application. If you have questions about employment, please send an email to: employment@firstcall-ambulance.com or contact the Human Resources Manager at (615)620-4292, nmothershed@firstcall-ambulance.com.
17. What if I have a question or concern and want to reach someone in Customer Service?
You may contact Tracy Hopper between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CST at 615.620.4292. Other contacts at First Call may be found on the “Staff Contact” link of this website.
