LEBANON - Three years after the Lebanon Fire District raised fees for emergency medical services by 54 percent, the district's board of directors has approved another increase of about 6 percent.

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 - down 386 calls.

Palmer expects to reach 4,000 calls this year, possibly breaking a record of 3,465 calls set last year.

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.