Are Engines Needed On Medical Calls?
Should fire engines be dispatched on medical calls? Here is an article that addresses that very question (from SentinalandEnterprise.com).
For any potential life or death situation, the Fitchburg fire department will dispatch a fire engine, staffed by three firefighters, along with an ambulance from Patriot Ambulance Inc. with two paramedics on board."We have very good coverage in the city," said Roy.
But some city councilors have questioned the wisdom of paying to send the fire engines to emergency medical calls, saying although the firefighters may help save lives, the fire trucks are getting worn out because they're constantly in use.
"It's basically just an emergency medical response, so you're getting those EMTs to the scene. But now they're showing up in a fire engine, how much more of an expense is that" asked Fitchburg at large City Councilor Ralph R. Romano III.
Those of us in the fire service might be quick to dismiss the question, but we should think it through to make sure we are serving the public the best we can.
Although I live in a rural area that doesn't typically send fire apparatus to medical calls, I can see several benefits to the practice. More personnel to help with the patient, lots of equipment available on the truck in case you need it, fire suppression available in case of a fire (especially car fires), use of the apparatus to block traffic.
Is there a more cost effective way to do this? Could fire departments have a light rescue vehicle (like an SUV) or a mini-pumper to fulfill this purpose?
Feel free to put in a comment and send us your thoughts.
Comments
Our dispatch procedures dictate an engine assist on certain times of calls. The call types are generally cardiac, unconscious, or forceable entry. We also are dispatched as an engine company when the ambulance fails to get out for some reason. My company uses our brush truck for everything except forceable entry when we send out the truck. Our brush truck hold 4 and we carry a full aide bag, AED, and a suction unit. So we are able to do everything necessary except transport.
Posted by: Mia at December 28, 2005 01:30 PM
I think it makes good sense to roll the front line engine. Especially in VFD's, that way you have the truck there if it's needed and fully staffed if it's needed elsewhere. Rural departments in particular do not always have full details of the incident, better to roll it and return it in my book.
Posted by: bill at January 2, 2006 11:13 AM
We as emergency service workers such as police, fire, and ems are open minded to our needs. The general public have to be educated to why we do what we do. In this case it is essential to roll an engine to the call as well as more cost effective than a light rescue. In order to roll a light rescue means you will have to have one in every station to give the same coverage that an engine will which means and increase in equipment expense as well as increase in manpower. So have the government leaders in question do the math and then ask them what price can be put on a human life especially if it was one of their own family members. I think it will open their eyes...As with anything else we do it is all in public education that we move forward and progress.
Posted by: Mark at March 25, 2007 11:37 AM
