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First Responder Fee Program

SJFD Firefighters at the scene of a car accident.

On March 25, 2025, the San José City Council unanimously approved the implementation of a First Responder Fee Program, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. As emergency medical services has become a central part of the San José Fire Department’s mission, this program will help recover rising costs associated with providing critical pre-hospital care—while ensuring the we remain fully equipped and trained to respond when our community needs us the most.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know there are questions, and we want to make sure you have the facts. Below, you'll find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about this program.

If you have a question that is not answered here, please use our First Responder Fee Feedback Form to share your feedback or suggest additional topics you'd like us to address. Please note that while all public comments will be reviewed, individual responses may not be provided.

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

What is a First Responder?
A first responder is a trained professional who is among the first to provide aid at the scene of an emergency. This includes firefighters, police officers, paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), call-takers, and dispatchers. Firefighters also provide emergency medical services (EMS) and are either licensed paramedics or EMTs.
What is a First Responder Fee?
A First Responder Fee is a fee charged to recover the cost of paramedic-level medical services provided by first responders. This fee is permitted under:
Are First Responder Fees common?
Yes, many cities and counties in California have implemented similar fees to help sustain the increasing demands of emergency medical services provided by their fire departments.
What other cities in California charge a First Responder Fee?
More than 20 cities in California currently charge a First Responder Fee. Among them are Alameda, Anaheim, Folsom, Long Beach, Napa, Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Vallejo, to name a few.
When does the First Responder Fee apply?
The First Responder Fee applies to all calls in the City of San José where paramedic-level medical services are provided. Calls with no medical component, or those that do not require paramedic-level services, will not be charged.
When was this fee approved?
The implementation of a First Responder Fee Program was unanimously approved by the San José City Council on March 25, 2025.
When does the First Responder Fee take effect?
The First Responder Fee Program launches in the City of San José on January 1, 2026.
Why are First Responder Fees being charged?
First Responder Fees are necessary because fire departments, traditionally focused solely on fire suppression, have expanded to respond to medical emergencies, which involve significant costs for personnel, equipment, and supplies. These fees will help ensure the San José Fire Department can continue delivering life-saving care during medical emergencies.
Aren’t my taxes already paying for these services?
While revenue from taxes fund basic fire protection and emergency services, it doesn’t fully cover the costs of providing paramedic-level emergency medical services (EMS), such as life-saving medical equipment and training. The First Responder Fee helps fill this funding gap to maintain high-quality care for our community.
How much is the First Responder Fee?
The First Responder Fee/Vehicle Collision Response Fee is $427 per patient treated. These fees are detailed in the City’s Adopted Fee & Charges.
How does the City of San José determine the cost of the fee?
The fee is calculated based on the actual cost of providing paramedic-level emergency medical response, including staff, equipment, and medical supplies.
Am I personally responsible for paying this fee?
No, you are not. We do not directly bill patients. The bill will go to your insurance company. If your insurance information wasn’t collected at the time of treatment, you will receive a statement in the mail asking you to provide it so the claim can be processed. Please note that billing practices and insurance requirements may change over time.
What happens if I don’t have health insurance to pay for the First Responder Fee?
All patients, regardless of health insurance status, will receive emergency medical services from the San José Fire Department. Please let the first responder know your insurance status at the time of treatment. If you don’t provide this information, you will receive a statement in the mail where you can provide your insurance information or indicate that you do not have coverage. Patients will not be billed directly for these services, regardless of insurance status.
What about Medi-Cal or Medicaid beneficiaries?
The San José Fire Department will not collect from individuals any portion of the fee that these programs do not cover.
Why was my automobile insurance collected and/or sent a bill?
The Vehicle Collision Response Fee is applied for emergency medical services provided at the scene of a vehicle accident and responders will attempt to collect the patient’s automobile insurance information. For emergencies not involving a vehicle or if automobile insurance is not applicable, responders will then attempt to collect the patient’s health insurance information. In either case, the San José Fire Department will only bill one insurance provider and will not bill the patient directly. If your insurance information wasn’t collected at the time of treatment, you will receive a statement in the mail from a third-party billing service, Wittman Enterprises, asking you to provide it so the claim can be processed.
How will the City of San José bill for First Responder Fees?
A bill will be sent by Wittman Enterprises to the patient’s insurance provider. You will not be required to pay directly.
What happens if my insurance is not collected at the time of treatment?
If your insurance information wasn’t collected at the time of treatment, you will receive a letter in the mail from a third-party billing service, Wittman Enterprises, requesting the information. This letter can be expected within 14 days of your treatment.
Why does the San José Fire Department respond when I call for an ambulance?
Every fire apparatus in San José is equipped with advanced medical equipment and staffed with at least one paramedic, enabling us to provide lifesaving pre-hospital care in emergencies. With 34 fire stations citywide, we often arrive at medical emergencies before an ambulance, allowing us to begin assessment and treatment when every second counts.
What if I have more questions about this fee?
For billing-related questions, please contact Wittman Enterprises at (800) 906-6552. For all other questions, please contact the San José Fire Department Administration at (408) 794-7000 or send us an email at SJFD.EMSBilling@sanjoseca.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a First Responder?

What is a First Responder Fee?

Are First Responder Fees common?

What other cities in California charge a First Responder Fee?

When does the First Responder Fee apply?

When was this fee approved?

When does the First Responder Fee take effect?

Why are First Responder Fees being charged?

Aren’t my taxes already paying for these services?

How much is the First Responder Fee?

How does the City of San José determine the cost of the fee?

Am I personally responsible for paying this fee?

What happens if I don’t have health insurance to pay for the First Responder Fee?

What about Medi-Cal or Medicaid beneficiaries?

Why was my automobile insurance collected and/or sent a bill?

How will the City of San José bill for First Responder Fees?

What happens if my insurance is not collected at the time of treatment?

Why does the San José Fire Department respond when I call for an ambulance?

What if I have more questions about this fee?