By EMS1 Staff
MEXICO CITY, Mexico — A Sundance Film Festival documentary highlights Mexico City’s overburdened EMS industry and the private ambulance companies that work to help the city’s residents.
The Wrap reported that “Midnight Family” follows the Ochoa family’s private ambulance company. The documentary’s creator, Luke Lorentzen, rides along with Fer Ochoa, his two sons and other crew members as they try to survive in the industry consisting of tough restrictions, unregistered ambulances and issues with police.
Mexico City currently has 45 government-run ambulances to serve 9 million residents, so private ambulances such as the Ochoa family’s business aim to help pick up the slack. However, passengers often have neither insurance nor money to pay for the services.
The documentary shows the audience both the pressures the Ochoas face in their line of work, as well as their sense of loyalty to their patients. Watch the video below for more information on “Midnight Family.”