Excerpts from the NapervilleSun:
Smaller, single-staffed vehicles will allow more efficient response to non-emergency calls
The Naperville Fire Department today launched the Rescue Vehicle Program, an innovative program aimed at more efficiently delivering appropriate resources to non-emergency calls.
The department’s rescue vehicles – Rescue 1 and Rescue 2 – will be housed at Fire Station No. 9 on the city’s north side and Fire Station No. 10 on the city’s south side. As staffing allows, each rescue vehicle will be staffed by one firefighter or firefighter/paramedic to respond to non-emergency calls, such as carbon monoxide calls where no illness is reported, elevator alarms where no one is trapped, malfunctioning fire alarms and open burning complaints.
Naperville Fire Chief Mark Puknaitis said the department responds to an estimated 1,000 non-emergency calls annually.
The Rescue Vehicle Program will be evaluated for its ability to reduce maintenance and wear and tear on department vehicles, reduce fuel use, keep fire suppression units available in their districts for emergency calls, and increase public safety by reducing the number of times a suppression unit is put on the street.
In addition to non-emergency calls, these vehicles will also respond to structure fires, automobile extrications and multiple alarm incidents, which will increase staffing on the scene of these manpower-intensive incidents.
“Naperville is a very forward-thinking community, and the deployment of Rescue 1 and Rescue 2 is a perfect example of using non-traditional thinking to improve the efficiency of our department,” said Chief Puknaitis. “This program is one of the first of its kind in Illinois, and other departments I’ve spoken to are really interested to see our progress with this in hopes of replicating the same type of service.”
#1 by TC on May 17, 2015 - 10:20 AM
This was put into place with the staffing from an 8th ambulance, which he has permanently shut down. Since Mark has been in Naperville he has permanently shut down 3 vehicles (2 engines and now a medic unit ), in addition to browning out as many as 3 ambulances a day leaving only 5 ambulances leaving only 5 for the whole city, opened another station while adding no new personal or apparatus. Someone mentioned the keyword….overtime. These not so forward thinking vehicles will not be up if staffing doesn’t allow for them, ie no overtime will be paid to put these up. Just another check box for a wannabe city manager.
#2 by Mike on May 16, 2015 - 7:43 AM
The merit of this is good, but the delivery isn’t. Sending 1 guy on a run isn’t safe at all. What if something happens? Who’s your back up, or what if you get accused of something? Now no one is there to speak for you. We operate this way and it is extremely unsafe.
#3 by Robert on May 17, 2015 - 10:19 AM
I guess they should issue body cameras.
#4 by Tom Foley on May 15, 2015 - 11:11 PM
I think it’s a great idea. I understand an engine and ambo for paramedic calls, but for some of the calls listed in the article, there’s no reason you need to tie up that equipment for some of the responses mentioned.
As Mabas 21 commented, a department will want to consider salary, benefits, overtime, and ultimately pension costs. I think there is probably a workable solution for many larger departments, if managed correctly, that gives a better value for tax dollars by adding this resource.
#5 by MABAS 21 on May 15, 2015 - 10:23 PM
The Orland Fire District has already tried this response system with a service pick up a few years ago for the same type of runs. It was discontinued by the district trustees because of overtime to staff it with 2 members. And doesn’t Rockford currently practice this in addition to using the 2 SUV’s as EMS chase vehicles?