As the cost for an ambulance ride soars, Spokane County Fire District 9 plans to shed its contract with American Medical Response and start its own ambulance service that won’t result in an expensive transport bill for residents.

If the move is approved by the Washington Department of Health, the fire district serving 50,000 people living in Mead and other areas directly north of Spokane and Spokane Valley will be be the only fire district in Spokane County to operate its own full-time ambulance transport operation, Chief Matthew Vinci said.

The push for its own ambulance service came about after current provider AMR doubled its rates beginning last month. The cost rose to almost $4,700 for basic life support and transport, Vinci said. That doesn’t include charges for supplies, IV therap

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