The Lebanon Fire District board of directors recently raised fees for emergency medical services by 6 percent. The increase comes three years after a 54 percent rate hike.

The rate increase took effect Oct. 16. Here is how it breaks down: Emergency room transport increased by $48 to $854 plus an additional $13.74 per mile. Any needed medical attention during the ride is included in the costs.

An aid call that doesn't require a lift to the hospital will cost $274, up from $257, and extrication fees will reach $159, from $149.

Chief Perry Palmer said the fees went up to cover operation costs related to a spike in emergency calls.

For these, Palmer cites population growth in Lebanon, more needs among aging baby boomers and more 911 calls from cell phones.

As of Oct. 22, Palmer tallied 3,214 emergency calls for the fire department this year. Last year at this time, the total was 2,818.

If, as Palmer expects, the total reaches 4,000 calls this year, the district will break a record of 3,465 calls set last year by almost 15 percent.

Lebanon's fire district houses three Advanced Life Support ambulances and one ALS apparatus. Two medical units are staffed each shift, but Palmer said the number of times the third unit, or a fourth from another district, is needed has risen.

"We're short on personnel," he said.