FAQ Series 5 - Service

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ALS (Advanced Life Support) refers to a higher level of emergency medical care, including airway management, IV therapy, drug administration, and cardiac monitoring. Many rural areas push for it due to the need for more advanced care, especially given the long transport times to hospitals.

For Delta, this will consist of multiple (2 or 3) ambulances, but with only one in service at any point in time, with one crew of a Paramedic and EMT3.  There will be multiple crews hired to provide 24/7/365 coverage but only one on duty.  There will be a crew that is on-call to attend at times when the primary crew is on a call and Ft. Greely can’t respond.

Basic Life Support (BLS):

• Focus: BLS emphasizes the "ABCs" of emergency care: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. 
• Skills: BLS training typically covers:
  • Recognizing cardiac arrest and other emergencies. 
  • Performing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). 
  • Using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). 
  • Basic airway management techniques. 
• Providers: BLS is typically provided by EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians). 
• Goal: To maintain basic life support until more advanced care can be provided to this patient.

Advanced Life Support (ALS):

• Focus: ALS involves more invasive procedures and medications to stabilize patients in critical conditions. 
• Skills: ALS training includes:
  • Advanced airway management techniques (e.g., intubation). 
  • Intravenous (IV) access and medication administration. 
  • Cardiac monitoring and rhythm analysis. 
  • Advanced diagnostic skills. 
• Providers: ALS is typically provided by paramedics. 
• Goal: To provide comprehensive care to patients in critical conditions. 

In the last 5 years, Delta has been provided this same level of coverage. One (1) primary ambulance, with backup aid from Ft. Greely, and another on-call crew. 

Everyone in the area will get help regardless of whether you have donated or not. This service is for everyone. DMT has provided a great service over the last several years and will continue to do so for the next year. We plan to mirror that level of excellence and provide that into the future.

Yes. Every call out will still need to get billed to your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. The balance that is not covered by your insurance will still get billed to you.  If you receive Medicaid/Medicare, the law does not allow for the balance to be billed and is considered non-retrievable. This is part of the complexity of funding an EMS in Delta, which has many residents on Medicaid or Medicare.  The total amount received from billing only covers approx 25% of the annual operating costs.

Nearly all of the calls originate from the Delta area, which is the primary coverage area. However we do not intend to allow for service gaps and if an emergency happens beyond what people feel is Delta, we will still respond and provide assistance. This could be your kids returning from a tournament in Valdez or Tok, or a family member driving back from a medical appointment in Anchorage. Delta residents travel long distances often, and we care for your wellbeing and will respond.

The Delta Response Area will follow the Delta Junction Alaska State Troopers Detachment D

(Delta post) response area, which includes the area between these mile-markers:

a. Mile 186 Richardson Highway (Paxson Lake) to near Mile 293 Richardson Highway

(Fairbanks North Star Borough)

b. Mile 1422 Alaska Highway (Delta Junction) to Mile 1353 Alaska Highway (Dot Lake)