Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why does it say ambulance backwards on the hood?
A. Great question! AMBULANCE is spelled backwards on the hood of all of our ambulances so that the word is clearly visible in your rear view mirror when the ambulance is behind your vehicle.
Q. What's the difference between a paramedic & an EMT?
A. Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) are the backbone of emergency medical services. These individuals are trained in basic first aid maneuvers such as CPR, bleeding control, childbirth and airway management. EMT's receive several hundred hours of training. Paramedics receive over a thousand hours of training and are capable of performing many life saving procedures. They can administer over 30 different life savings drugs, perform advanced airway procedures, read & interpret EKG's and possess advanced patient assessment skills. To learn more about the different levels of EMT's that are available click here.
Q. I have a relative that needs transportation to & from a doctor's office - can you do that?
A. Rockingham Ambulance provides a wide variety of medical transportation services. We offer specialized wheelchair cars for appointments, dialysis treatments or other regularly scheduled trips. We also do many of these trips by ambulance when needed, most often between medical facilities. To schedule any type of non-emergency transportation you can contact our Operations Center toll free at 1-800-634-6247.
Q. All NH communities have paramedics don't they?
A. No they do not. Only a handful of NH community's staff Paramedics on their ambulances on a regular basis. The reasons behind the lack of paramedics vary with individual situations. You should contact your local elected official to ask about your community. Paramedics make a difference.
Q. Why does it cost so much for an ambulance ride?
A. Rockingham Ambulance does not charge the City of Manchester or Nashua to provide ambulance service. Unlike most other city services such as Fire, Police or Schools, if you never use the ambulance you never have to pay for it even though it is there and available for you at all times. An adequate amount of highly trained staff, vehicles and equipment are dedicated to these communities 24 hours a day 7 days a week to answer emergency 9-1-1 calls. The high cost involved in staffing, training and equipping these systems is paid for completely through user fees that are billed to those who actually use the service. The fees are regulated and maintained at usual and customary rates and Rockingham has set-up an independent financial hardship review board to protect those citizens in financial need. Rockingham maintains direct bill contracts with nearly all major insurance carriers and accepts Medicare & NH Medicaid assignment.
Q. How can I get trained in CPR?
A. Rockingham regularly provides community CPR programs for groups or individuals. If you are interested in being trained in CPR or choke saver you can contact our training office at 603-886-5375 for information about upcoming classes.
Q. How can I get someone from Rockingham to speak to my community group?
A. If you have a club or group that would like to hear someone from our organization speak about EMS please contact us at 1-800-754-5300. Tours of our stations and ambulances are also welcome. Stop by and visit a Rockingham Ambulance location at any time.
Q. If someone in my home has a medical condition that may need attention should I call ahead of time to let you know?
A. In cooperation with local police & fire departments we maintain a data base of those persons who have reported to us that they need extra assistance, have a serious medical condition or require special services. Our crews receive this vital information once they are dispatched to the known location. If you have information you feel would be useful please contact our Operations Center toll free at 1-800-634-6247.
Q. What can I do to make it easier for emergency crews to find my house if I need them?
A. It is essential for your home to be clearly marked so that emergency responders can find it with little difficulty. Make sure that your house number is clearly visible from the road and large enough to be seen at night. Turn on an outside light after you call. If possible, have someone meet the emergency responders outside to direct them in. Remember, although we try to pre-plan in many neighborhoods we usually have not been to your home before and are not as familiar with it as you are.
Q. When I call 9-1-1 in New Hampshire who answers?
A. All 9-1-1 calls in New Hampshire are answered in Concord at the NH Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). This service is provided by the NH Bureau of Emergency Communications and is paid for by monthly user fee on all NH telephones. Call takers are trained & certified in Emergency Medical Dispatching procedures and will stay on the line with callers providing them with valuable medical information until an ambulance arrives. 9-1-1 in New Hampshire is Enhanced 9-1-1 (E-9-1-1) meaning that once a connection is made the 9-1-1 center knows exactly where you are calling from and what the telephone number is. Once received in Concord calls are quickly processed though to local authorities for response. NH has one of the most modern and progressive 9-1-1 systems in America today.
Q. How can I contact someone to discuss my experience with Rockingham Ambulance?
A. Rockingham Ambulance has a random patient satisfaction program that automatically mails over 200 patient satisfaction forms out to our customers every quarter. We are very proud of our 95%+ satisfaction rating. If you do not receive a survey or would like to speak with someone personally about your experience we would welcome an opportunity to speak with you. Contact us toll free from anywhere in the US at 1-800-754-5300.