TEMPE, Ariz. — City officials in Tempe say some health care facilities are overusing 911 services, creating strain on emergency responders. In response, a new city ordinance allows fines for facilities that call emergency services excessively.
The new nuisance ordinance, which took effect this month, applies to places such as sober living homes, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes. City leaders say these facilities often rely on emergency services instead of hiring enough on-site medical staff.
“It’s those chronic phone calls and uses of our Fire Medical Rescue Department, instead of having the medical personnel they need,” said Tempe Vice Mayor Doreen Garlid.
Facilities that repeatedly misuse 911 could face fines starting at $1,000. Penalties may rise to $4,000 depending on the frequency of calls.
Cole Marvin, executive director of Friendship Village Tempe, acknowledges the problem but says it’s not an issue at his facility. He explained that Friendship Village is privately funded, allowing them to hire adequate staff. Other facilities, he noted, often depend on Medicaid or AHCCCS funding, which makes it difficult to maintain proper staffing.
“If we had to survive on those levels of funds, there’s no way we could staff the way we staff. It would be impossible,” Marvin said.
He also noted that the COVID-19 pandemic worsened staffing challenges. “Let’s say you have 30 patients and two staff members. If one calls in sick, now you’ve got one person trying to manage everything,” Marvin explained. “If a 250-pound resident falls, one staff member may not be able to lift them.”
The city says it will give facilities a warning before issuing any fines.
“This isn’t about writing citations right away. We want to start with education,” said Garlid.
First responders will continue to respond to all emergency calls, but fines will be considered if a facility shows a pattern of excessive, non-urgent 911 use.
“We’ll do what’s needed to support the community,” Garlid added.
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