Bold/Italic Type indicates updated or new frequently asked questions.
Updated: December 31, 2007

Q: If I need an ambulance, who do I contact?
A: Dial 9-1-1 or DVA directly toll free at 866-241-6643.

Q: What is EMS?
A: EMS stands for Emergency Medical Services. a pre-hospital care field in the medical industry.

Q: Can I obtain a copy of my Ambulance Run Form?
A: Yes, A patient may request a copy of their ambulance run form, click here. Must show proper ID. For Spouses must have the original copy of the marriage license. For Parents, must have original copy of birth certificate. For Deceased patients, a spouse, child, siblings, or parents may only request a copy of the ambulance run form, showing proper ID and death certificate.

Q: What is the cost an ambulance transport?
A: Ambulance cost varies based on type of service.

Q: Is DVA tax subsidized?
A: No

Q: If I walk-in seeking medical treatment, will I be charged?
A: Possible.

Q: If I have a question about my bill, who do I need to contact?
A: Our in-house Billing staff: 989-288-3177 Option #2 or 734-285-8594 or email

Q: If my insurance carrier does not cover the cost of an ambulance trip, who is responsible?
A: You as the patient is responsible for uncovered cost.

Q: Are you still offering free blood pressure checks?
A: DVA is still offering free blood pressure checks at this time. We do ask that individuals wishing to have their blood pressure checked to restrict this request to the hours of 10:00AM to 03:00PM Mon - Friday. Also, please be aware that if the EMS crew is out on a run, there will be no one available to take your blood pressure.

Q: Can I receive medical treatment at the EMS station?
A: By law, DVA EMS must provide emergency medical treatment for any and all life threatening injuries/illnesses. A paramedics scope of practice does not allow them to diagnose common illnesses/injuries without a further medical evaluation by a licensed physician. Those individuals that come to the DVA ambulance base seeking medical attention must, by law, be treated the same as an individual that dials 911 and requests an ambulance. Individuals may elect to not be transported by ambulance and sign a refusal form, but we will be unable to provide medical advice in that instance. You will also be billed a no transport fee if you elect not be transported to the hospital after coming to our station for medical treatment. Please note that the EMS crew is unable to
give medical advice.

Q: Why is it that when I call an ambulance, a unit from another agency shows up?
A: DVA currently staffs one full time unit at each station. If that unit gets called for service, DVA cannot guarantee that a second unit will always be available. To compensate for this EMS agencies commonly have mutual aid agreements with other agencies to ensure that the next closest EMS unit responds to a call for service within the their coverage area. DVA participates in this common practice. We also provide mutual aid to other areas if requested. Due to a national shortage of Paramedics and EMTs, extra staff is not always available to cover these backup calls. DVA is constantly looking at ways that we can reduce the number of times that outside agencies need to cover our service area. The only time that another unit provides coverage in our response area is if our unit is busy on another call.


Q: Why don't the Durand units generate sufficient revenue to be self-funded like the Flint units?
A: The annual number of EMS runs that are completed and successfully billed are not great enough to generate the needed revenue to operate the Durand base without an assessment and additional revenues from other bases at this time.


Q: How can I find out more about DVA Ambulance service?
A: You can access our company web site at http://www.dvaems.com You can also contact the Office of Administration for answers to your questions at (989) 288-3177 or by email in the contact section of the web site.