“We are working with the health department to find other ways to transport people, such as using a contract taxi cab or Uber,” D.C. Fire and EMS Department Chief Gregory Dean told News4. “We are trying to find creative ways to try to reduce the strain on the system.” According to News4, the city sent out responders on more than 160,000 emergency medical service calls in 2015, many of which were not for high-priority medical issues. The city receives some 1.8 million 911 calls annually.