Residents who need an ambulance will soon pay more for the service.

Portales Fire Department ambulance service fees will go up starting Saturday.

The fee increase averages 15 to 16 percent for different types of ambulance services, according to Chief John Bridges said. It will be the first increase in five years, he said.

The fee increase was adopted recently by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The Portales Fire Department ambulance service falls under the PRC schedule for ambulance fees.

Bridges said the increase in fees helps with operational expenses, but still only covers about 50 percent of operational costs. The remainder is covered with money from the city’s general fund.

Increases include:

• Basic life support non-emergency calls will go up to $294 from $250.

• Advanced life support emergency calls will go up to $728 from $618.

• Patient evaluation — when an ambulance responds but does not transport a patient — will now be $113, up from $96.

• Mileage for transport will be $10.60, up from $9 per mile.

• Dedicated stand-by, such as for football games, will be $120 for the first hour (up from $102), $90 for the second full hour (up from $76), and $22 for each 15 minutes after the first full hour (up from $19).

The Portales Fire Department does not charge individuals for fire calls, Bridges said.