I understand that if I call 9-1-1 for an ambulance, I will be seen faster at the hospital than if I check in at the hospital front door.

Fire-Rescue ambulances should be used for emergency conditions only. When the ambulances and the 9-1-1 system are abused by persons who are not experiencing a medical emergency, then the ambulance and its trained Firefighter-Paramedics are not available for persons who really need them. All patient transports are communicated to the hospital staff either by radio or over the telephone. If an emergency condition does not exist, transport by ambulance may not be provided. In non-emergent cases, patients may be transported to the Emergency Department, evaluated by an on-duty nurse and then directed to the lobby until they can be treated.