(Photo by Matthew Casey - KJZZ)

Goodyear's fire engine 185.

Goodyear Fire Department is starting a community program aimed at lowering hospital readmission rates, which can cost hospitals millions in insurance. That program is coming together after a recent approval from the city council.

The concept-- community paramedicine-- isn’t new. Chandler, Buckeye and Mesa all have similar programs where paramedics make home visits to fill the gap between hospital and after-care instructions.

But what Goodyear wants to do is become a regional hub for the West Valley by providing paramedicine resources and information to nearby cities.

“We recognize that patients get discharged everywhere to go home so why not look at it from a regional perspective and see if we can have an impact from that standpoint,” Goodyear Fire Chief Paul Luizzi said.

Goodyear will work with Sun City Fire District and Peoria, and expects to partner with Surprise and Avondale. The program will start implementation July 1.