Fort Dodge firefighters and paramedics will continue to respond to help people get back up after a fall, but in some cases there will now be a fee for that service.

The City Council on Monday approved a fee schedule — one for nursing facilities and one for private individuals — to be charged when the Fire Department responds to what is called a lift assist.

Terry Evans, the emergency medical service supervisor for the Fire Department, said a lift assist happens when a person falls from the standing or seated position, is not injured, but cannot get up by themselves.

He told the council that last year lift assists accounted for just over 5 percent of the department’s calls.

“It’s not an emergency function,” he said.

Under the plan approved Monday, a nursing home, assisted living facility or medical facility would be charged $500 if the Fire Department is called there to help lift someone.

“They are already responsible for taking care of that person,” Evans said of the nursing homes and other facilities.

That $500 fee will also apply if an ambulance is called to a facility to transport someone for a non-emergency reason.

If the Fire Department is called to a private residence or independent living facility that doesn’t have staff on site, there would be a $150 fee for the third and subsequent lift assist calls within a 12-month period.

The council approved the fees on a unanimous vote.