Pam Zekman from CBS Chicago recently did a report on the current state of the Chicago Fire Department's ambulance fleet and EMS response times:
When you're facing a life-threatening emergency, can you rely on the city to send an ambulance in time? According to CBS 2's Pam Zekman and the Better Government Association, the answer might not be as reassuring as you'd hope. Paramedics are calling for more ambulances and more trained personnel to meet the growing demand.
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 with paramedics arrived within four minutes to help free her from under the truck. But in recorded calls, one of them could be heard asking the dispatcher why an ambulance hadn’t shown up yet. Ambulances stationed closer to downtown were unavailable, and the only one available was five miles away, taking 16 minutes — 10 minutes over the state’s recommended time. Ramos suffered a punctured lung, a broken leg, a fractured pelvis, and broken ribs.
Paramedic Field Chief Patrick Fitzmaurice said the delay was unacceptable. “We don’t have enough ambulances,†he said. The city claims it meets state guidelines by sending a fire engine with paramedics and advanced life support equipment within six minutes. However, it can take an additional 10 to 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. For patients with critical conditions, those extra minutes can be the difference between life and death.
One paramedic, who asked to remain anonymous, explained that stroke patients need immediate transport to a specialized center, and gunshot victims or accident survivors with internal injuries require urgent surgical intervention. “Time is of the essence,†he said.
An audit by the city’s inspector general revealed serious issues. It found that the city failed to meet the National Fire Protection Association’s standards, which require advanced life support to reach emergencies within five minutes 90% of the time. The city only met this goal 58% of the time.
Inspector General Joseph Ferguson criticized the fire department’s reporting methods, saying no one truly knows how well they’re performing their core mission. “Taxpayer money for critical services is at the heart of what we pay taxes for,†he said. “And it appears it’s being done at a much lower level than claimed.â€
Andy Shaw of the Better Government Association warned that lives are at risk if the right resources aren’t deployed quickly. “People’s lives will be imperiled if they don’t get the right ambulances and trained personnel on time,†he said.
Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago denies there’s a shortage of ambulances. “The Fire Department takes medical calls seriously and does not have a shortage,†he said. He added that the department plans to hire more paramedics this year, following a temporary delay due to updated testing requirements. “We are fully staffed every day with a mix of paramedics working straight time and overtime,†he said, adding that hiring more would help reduce the $7 million in overtime paid last year.
The department is also reviewing ambulance response times to improve efficiency and may reassign some units to better meet demand.
This story comes from Bill Post, who noted that while many have known about these issues for years, the ALS (Advanced Life Support) units have been arriving faster thanks to the ALS Fire Company program. He also pointed out that one of the EMS supervisors in the report was willing to go on camera, which is rare given their affiliation with the CFD. Another employee, however, chose to remain anonymous.
Thanks to Dan and Bill for the insight.
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