The Dearborn City Council on Sept. 23 adopted an ordinance authorizing a $1,000 cost‑recovery fee for certain non‑emergency runs, commonly called “lift assists,” when those calls originate from facilities such as assisted‑living centers and nursing homes.

The ordinance (addition of section 14‑44.1 to chapter 14) passed unanimously. It requires the fire department to maintain records of non‑emergency responses, gives facilities 60 days from notice to pay an assessed fee, and includes an appeals process that allows adjustments for insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or other payments.

Fire Department leadership told the council the measure is not intended to deny care. “If they call us for help, they fall down and need help getting up, we’re going to be there for them 100%,” the Fire Chief said during the meeting. The chief said the policy targets facilities that advertise medical or nursing services but in practice are understaffed and regularly summon emergency crews for routine assistance, which diverts ambulances and crews from true emergencies.

Council members asked for operational details. The chief said a single facility generated about 70 lift‑assist calls in a year; a typical response involves one ambulance with two firefighters and takes roughly an hour for response and paperwork. Council members and the chief said the city’s intent is to encourage facilities to staff appropriately and to preserve emergency‑service availability for urgent calls.

Council President Cerini and others stressed the city would continue to respond to medical needs and that billing would focus on entities rather than individual residents; the ordinance allows fee reductions when insurers or other payers cover costs. The finance director and fire department will develop billing and appeals procedures and report back to the council on implementation timelines.

The ordinance passed 7–0. Staff said follow‑up items will include drafting billing procedures, identifying criteria for when the fee applies and reporting run volumes to council.