Pam Zekman from CBS Chicago recently did a compelling report on the current state of the Chicago Fire Department's ambulance fleet and emergency medical services (EMS) response times:
When someone is facing a life-threatening situation, can they count on getting an ambulance quickly enough? According to CBS 2’s Pam Zekman and the Better Government Association, the answer may not always be yes. Paramedics say the city needs more ambulances and more trained personnel to handle emergencies effectively.
Take the case of Lynn Ramos, who was hit by a 2-ton postal truck while crossing Washington Street in the Loop last month. Fire engines equipped with paramedics arrived within about four minutes to help free her from under the truck. In recorded calls, one paramedic could be heard asking the dispatcher why an ambulance hadn’t arrived yet. The nearest ambulances were not available, and the one that was dispatched was five miles away, taking 16 minutes — 10 minutes longer than the recommended state guidelines. Ramos suffered a punctured lung, a broken leg, a fractured pelvis, and multiple rib fractures.
Paramedic Field Chief Patrick Fitzmaurice said the delay should never have happened. “We don’t have enough ambulances,†he stated plainly. While the city claims it meets state standards by sending a fire engine with advanced life support equipment within six minutes, the actual ambulance response time often exceeds that. One anonymous paramedic told CBS 2 that it can take up to 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive after the initial response, which can be critical for patients with conditions like strokes or internal injuries.
An audit by the city’s inspector general revealed that the city’s medical response times fell short of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The NFPA recommends that advanced life support equipment reach a scene within five minutes 90% of the time. However, the city only met this goal 58% of the time, according to the report.
Inspector General Joseph Ferguson criticized the fire department’s methods for measuring performance, saying, “No one has any idea truly how well it is performing a core mission.†He also noted that the department initially claimed to follow NFPA standards but later denied it.
Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association emphasized the risks: “People’s lives will be imperiled if they don’t get the right ambulances and the right trained personnel to the scene quickly enough.â€
Dispatchers and paramedics say they face daily challenges. “There are times they literally just get on the radio and say, ‘I have no ambulances. Can anybody go?’†said one paramedic.
In response, Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago denied there is an ambulance shortage, stating, “The Fire Department takes its calls for medical assistance very seriously and does not have a shortage of ambulances.†He added that the department plans to hire more paramedics this year, following a temporary delay due to updated testing requirements.
The department also mentioned that it is tracking ambulance response times to improve efficiency and determine if some units need to be repositioned to better meet demand.
As Bill Post pointed out, the issue isn’t new, but the recent report highlights the growing concerns among first responders. One EMS supervisor even agreed to speak on camera, which is rare given the sensitivity of the topic.
Thanks to Dan and Bill for their insights.
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