Excerpts from RRStar.com:
It's a bit ironic, but fire departments often work to reduce the very need for their services, much like social service agencies. While local governments require new homes to have smoke detectors, many fire departments go a step further by offering free detectors and conducting home safety inspections for older residences. In new commercial buildings, especially high-rises, sprinkler systems are mandatory. Even the number of wildfires sparked by discarded cigarettes has dropped by 90% according to the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station.
The overall result is a significant decline in fires across the country. Rockford is no different. In 2014, the city reported 638 structure and non-structure fires, a 20% decrease from 796 in 2005. Despite this drop, the Rockford Fire Department has seen an average annual increase of 3% in call volume. Last year alone, out of 26,010 calls, only 2.45% were related to actual fires—while 80% were emergency medical services (EMS) or search and rescue requests.
This shift is largely driven by the aging Baby Boomer population. For example, between January and September 2014, 20 individuals made a total of 192 visits to SwedishAmerican Hospital’s emergency room. In response, the Rockford Fire Department partnered with SwedishAmerican Hospital to launch a pilot program called Mobile Integrated Healthcare. The initiative targets “frequent fliersâ€â€”individuals who make multiple 911 calls and use ambulance services repeatedly.
The program involves Bob Vertiz, the EMS coordinator for the Rockford Fire Department, along with two nurses trained in case management and social services. They visit these individuals at home, checking for fire hazards while ensuring they take their medications and attend doctor appointments. They also address any other health concerns the patients may have.
“Most of these people have real health issues,†said Knott. “The goal is to connect them with the right care. Transporting them to the hospital isn’t always the solution. What they need is long-term support, and that’s exactly what this program offers.â€
The results of the pilot are expected to be presented at the November Rock Stat meeting. While expanding the program may require upfront costs, it could lead to substantial savings over time. Each ambulance and fire truck response comes with a price tag, and reducing unnecessary trips could benefit both the city and residents.
“It’s not just about money,†Knott added. “We’re focused on patient care. That’s our main concern.â€
Heather Schafer, CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council, noted that volunteer departments are also seeing a rise in EMS calls, with up to 80% of their workload now involving medical emergencies. Many of these departments operate with fewer resources than full-time counterparts.
“Cross-training firefighters is becoming more common, but funding remains a challenge,†she said. “Training, equipment, and vehicle costs add up quickly.â€
Cherry Valley Fire Protection District Chief Craig Wilt explained that his department has 15 full-time and 30 paid-on-call firefighters. EMS calls now make up 75% to 80% of their total call volume.
“As the Baby Boomer generation ages, we expect EMS calls to keep rising,†he said. “That’s why we’re trying to streamline training and staffing.â€
While OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center offers free paramedic training, Wilt pointed out that certification takes about two years. During that time, other firefighters must cover shifts, leading to increased overtime costs. To mitigate this, the department now requires all new full-time hires to already be certified paramedics upon hiring.
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