In an effort to keep you informed about our local ambulance service, we have met with the Commander of the Cruz Roja Mexicana Ambulance service who gave us some important and new information about how your membership works. Please read over the information carefully as it will be important to you in an emergency situation.
What’s New with the Ambulance Service?
- The special number that is on the back of your membership card is no longer only for those members who live south of Alisitos. Now, if you are a current member, you may use that number to call the ambulance wherever you are. This special number is only for the ambulance service, not for fire or the police. Also, please do not give the number to non-members. It is only for members with a current membership card.
- If possible, download WhatsApp on your mobile phone and put the special number in the contacts. The commander said it is helpful to them if you use WhatsApp to call and to give details about your exact location on WhatsApp. He said this would help the ambulance be able to get to you quicker.
- There has been some misinformation about the training of the ambulance staff. The Cruz Roja Ambulance staff are paramedics, not EMT’s. They have undergone at least 780 hours of training in the classroom as well as one year of on-the-job training in the ambulance. As paramedics, they are trained to perform advanced medical interventions. Their training allows them to administer medications, perform and interpret electrocardiograms and use a defibrillator, and provide oxygen, among other skills. In the ambulance, they have access to medications such as Narcan (for overdoses), epinephrin, glucose IV, and pain medication.
Here are some of the questions we have been hearing from you.
What happens when I call 9-1-1?
You can still call 9-1-1 but for the Cruz Roja Ambulance, refer to number one above for new information. A dispatcher will answer and ask if you are calling for an ambulance, police, or fire department. The dispatcher may or may not be bilingual. Therefore, it behooves you to memorize key words and phrases you may need. If you call 9-1-1 from an area south of Alisitos, the ambulance will come from Ensenada and, if needed, go to a hospital in Ensenada. If you do not want to go to Ensenada and you are a Cruz Roja member (and your membership must be current), call the special number on the back of your membership card and the ambulance from Primo Tapia will respond.
How many ambulances are in Primo Tapia?
There is one ambulance stationed in Primo Tapia 24 hours/day and one for 12 hours per day. There are 3 ambulances available in the greater Rosarito area 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How long is the response time for the Cruz Roja Ambulance?
Depending on the needs of the community, the ambulance may respond to an emergency call in Rosarito and, often, the ambulance in Rosarito responds in the Primo Tapia area. The Cruz Roja ambulances cover an extended area from northern Rosarito to BajaMar. Therefore, the response time can be anywhere from 10 to 60 minutes.
What is the cost of the Cruz Roja Ambulance service?
Across the entire Country of Mexico, the Cruz Roja Ambulance service is free for everyone. However, there is a cost for being transported to the border when that is deemed medically necessary. This is where your Cruz Roja membership comes in. With your $25.00 annual membership, the cost for this service is cut in half. Currently, that cost with your membership is $150.00 (USD). You can pay this in cash or with a credit card at the hospital.
What other benefits are included with my $25.00 annual membership fee?
Besides supporting the Cruz Roja Ambulance service, the funds we receive through memberships support the local Cruz Roja Hospital. Cruz Roja receives no government funds for their services.
What if I need to be transported to the border?
The Cruz Roja Ambulance is an emergency response service and the decision to transfer a patient to the border is a medical decision. If it is determined that it is a medical necessity, the ambulance will transport a patient to the border The ambulance first goes to the Cruz Roja hospital in Rosarito to stabilize the patient. The Cruz Roja doctor will determine the medical necessity and will make arrangements for a US ambulance to meet them at the border. The US ambulance personnel will triage the patient in order to determine the appropriate hospital to take the patient. It is very important that you have with you your ID, Passport, and health insurance cards. Patients may bring a small overnight bag but it should be only the essentials for an overnight stay.
If I need to go to a hospital in Rosarito, may I choose which to be transported to?
Yes. The ambulance staff will call ahead to the hospital of your choice to be sure they will approve the transfer. If not, they will call another hospital.
Are the Cruz Roja Ambulance staff bilingual?
A few of the ambulance staff are bilingual. However, since we are living in Mexico, it is helpful to learn some basic phrases to use in case of medical emergencies. The paramedics do have the ability to translate via the internet.
What if I call a private ambulance?
Your Cruz Roja Membership will not apply. Prices for private ambulances can range from $420 to $850.