If you are hosting a special event in Boston, you may be required to not only apply for a permit with the City of Boston, but also with Boston EMS.
Before you apply by mail or fax
The Boston Public Health Commission’s Emergency Medical Services Regulation requires you to have an EMS Special Event Permit if your event meets any ONE (or more) of the following:
- you had to file a Public Event Application with the City
- you had to file a Film Permitting request
- your event, or the activities at your event, may affect public health
- your event may reduce our ability to serve the public (such as a road closure)
- you expect more than 5,000 people at your event, or
- you would like to request an EMS detail.
You need to file a Boston EMS Special Event Request at least 15 days before your event.
Complete a Boston EMS detail request
Please print out and complete the Emergency Medical Services permit application. Remember to include your setup maps or road closure plans.
Submit your application
You can mail, email, fax, or bring your completed form and any other documents to:
By mail or In person
Boston Emergency Medical ServicesATTN: Special Events
785 Albany Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
For in person drop off please use the above address between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m, Monday through Friday
After we get your application
We will work with you to determine the level of EMS coverage you need for your event. We’ll also let the event sponsor know, and we’ll include what type of service you need, and how much it will cost.
After the event, we will send you an invoice for our services. You need to pay all fees as soon as you get our invoice. You can get an idea of what you might pay by looking at our fees at the bottom of this page.
Payment info
- Boston EMS only charges a fee if staffing is required, the permit itself is free.
- The fee schedule for EMS detail options is included in the application. Boston EMS will determine the minimum detail requirement, you may choose to hire additional personnel if desired.
Boston EMS fees
| Services | Personnel | Unit Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Life Support Squad Unit | 1 EMT | $86 |
| Basic Life Support Ambulance | 2 EMTs | $161.25 |
| Bicycle Defibrillator Team | 2 EMTs | $134.38 |
| Advanced Life Support Ambulance | 2 Paramedics | $193.50 |
| Medical Station | 1 PMED and 2 EMTs | $258 |
| Proceed-Out Team | 2 EMTs | $123.63 |
| Proceed-Out Team w/Gator | 2 EMTs | $150.50 |
| Harbor Unit | 1 EMT or PMED | $96.75 |
| Special Operations Support Unit | 1 Spec. Ops. EMT | $129 |
| Special Operations Supervisor | 1 Spec. Ops Capt. | $96.75 |
| Additional EMT / EMCO | 1 EMT or EMCO | $75.25 |
| Additional Paramedic | 1 PMED | $80.63 |
| Shift Commander | 1 Deputy Supt. | $118.25 |
Cancellations and changes
For event cancellations and changes
You must tell us as soon as possible if there are any significant changes to your event, including cancellations and expectations of larger crowds. You can contact:
Boston EMS Special Operations Division
Phone: 617-343-1150
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
To reach us during non-business hours for last minute changes, call 617-343-1400 and ask to speak to a supervisor.
Please note
If you do not let us know about a cancellation at least one day before your event was scheduled to occur, you may be charged the full detail fee.
If more people are scheduled to attend — or there are significant changes from what was originally proposed — you may need more EMS resources. You’ll have to pay for extra medical staff and services if we decide it’s needed.
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Need to Know:For EVENT DETAIL QUESTIONS- Phone: 617-343-1150
- Email: specialevents@bostonems.org
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Contact:
Emergency Medical Services
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785 Albany Street
Boston, MA 02118
