Emergency Medical Services

Genoa Township firefighters are also trained paramedics and respond to medical emergencies within the Township, providing life saving emergency medical services and transportation to area hospitals.

When to Call 911
If you, or someone you are with, experiences any of the following symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately: 
  • Difficulty breathing 
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or upper abdomen which can include: Pressure, fullness, squeezing sensation or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes; Pain that spreads to the shoulders, neck, jaw, arms or back; Chest pain accompanied by dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath 
  • Fainting 
  • Sudden dizziness, weakness or change in vision 
  • Change in mental status (confusion, unusual behavior) 
  • Sudden, severe pain anywhere in the body 
  • Uncontrolled bleeding 
  • Severe or persistent vomiting 
  • Coughing up or vomiting blood 
  • Suicidal feelings
If these, or other severe symptoms present themselves, dial 9-1-1. The dispatcher will ask pertinent questions to ascertain the specific nature of the problem and help provide appropriate intervention until the Paramedics arrive. Do not hang up until the dispatcher instructs you to do so.

Before the Ambulance Arrives
After you have called 9-1-1, there are some things you can do before help arrives: 
  • If you determine that the patient is pulseless and not breathing, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but only if you have been trained in this life-saving technique (dispatchers provide instructions over the phone until the Paramedics arrive.) 
  • Stay calm. This will reassure the patient that help is on the way. 
  • If possible, gather all the medication the patient may be taking. This will help the emergency service providers better determine the medical history of the patient. 
  • If possible, move all furniture or obstacles out of the way so that the Paramedics have easy access to the patient. Secure pets in another area of the house
  • If possible, assist the arriving Paramedics by turning on the outside lights and having someone standing at the curb to direct them. This is especially important in multi-unit buildings or remote locations.

EMS billing is in effect in Genoa Township. Township residents should not be billed for services. If you should receive a bill from the Genoa Township Fire Department, or have any other issues with EMS billing process, please contact Chief Joseph Ponzi at 614-568-2040.

EMS Billing FAQs