FAQ's:

Is the staff paid or volunteer?

All of our staff are paid career employees. We have roughly 24 people on our roster and a large percentage of those make Corunna Area Ambulance Service their full-time occupation.

How long are the shifts?

Shifts are normally 24 hours. They start at midnight and end at midnight. Many of our staff work two 24-hour shifts in a row and work a straight 48-hour shift.

What do the Paramedics and EMTs do when they are not on a call?

There are a number of things we do during the day. Each shift starts with an equipment and rig check. The ambulance and all of the equipment gets checked every shift. In an emergency, everything must work right every time. The remainder of the shift might be taken up with training, housekeeping, or public education events. If there is downtime they may watch TV, sleep, or even go shopping in the community.

What should I do if someone needs an ambulance but it isn't really an emergency?

Depending on what happened, you may still need to call 911. If someone has fallen and either needs a lift-assist if not injured or if they require minor medical care with a lift-assist and no transport, we still ask that you contact 911 so the incident can be logged properly and dispatched to the appropriate EMS agency. If you have a patient who is physically and medically unable to be transported in your private vehicle or by wheelchair with SATA (the Shiawassee Area Transport Agency 989-729-2687 or https://satabus.org/transportation-solutions), please contact the CAAS Base to schedule your non-emergent transport service at 989-743-3050 and follow the prompts or speak to an on-shift employee.

What role do EMS providers play in trauma response?

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Departments are first responders. They play an important role in taking care of a person who has been hurt. They are called to homes, businesses, highways or wherever an injury occurs. EMS and fire units make sure the area is safe and provide first aid. They move the person by ambulance to the nearest appropriate trauma center.