Emergency Services Feel Pain at Pump

ARVADA, Colo. --

Another day, another record high.

As gas prices continue to rise, the national average was up nearly 2 cents overnight, increasing to $4.02 a gallon.

In Colorado, prices are inching closer to $4 with Monday's average at $3.94.

These high prices don't just affect summer vacation plans. Many emergency response companies are struggling to provide necessary services.

Pridemark Paramedic Services was paying $27,000 a month for fuel about one year ago. Today Pridemark is paying close to $45,000 a month -- an increase it has largely had to absorb on its own.

"Obviously we can't not use our ambulances. We have to drive around," said Pridemark CEO and president Mike Donner.

Pridemark's diesel-powered ambulances serve Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Golden and Boulder County.

"So that's even worse because obviously diesel is a lot higher than unleaded gasoline right now," said Donner.

Crews with Pridemark participate in street corner posting, meaning they sit on street corners, engines running, ready to go at a moment's notice.

"In the winter, we have to keep them warm so that a patient doesn't get into the back of a cold ambulance, and also so that our medicines and fluids don't get too cold," Donner said.

In the summer months, it’s the same issue with the heat.

Pridemark’s rates are somewhat regulated, so unlike other businesses, they can't simply pass fuel costs on to patients.

"It hurts. If it gets too much worse, at some point I might have to think about asking for a fuel surcharge at least until the prices come back down," said Donner.

"Obviously this is a real big deal to us. And we're in a low margin industry anyway. We don't have crazy profit numbers, and so this takes a real big bite out of our ability to keep going."

Members of the American Ambulance Association are now lobbying Congress.

They are trying to get a special exemption from federal fuel excise taxes.