Service could be used to improve response times when Rescue Squad staffing is low
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
The idea of implementing a first responder program with the City of Burlington Fire Department was discussed Tuesday at the City of Burlington Committee of the Whole meeting.
Fire Chief Perry Howard brought the idea to the meeting.
Mayor Bob Miller said Howard has been working on this proposal since arriving with the department earlier this year.
“This is a great opportunity to provide an additional service to our community without additional cost,” Howard explained.
Howard said a recent study showed that the average turnout time for the rescue squad is five minutes and nine seconds. He said he has witnessed delays at the station – which the rescue squad shares with the fire department on East Washington Street – because the squad either doesn’t have enough volunteers or doesn’t have someone with the certification to drive the vehicle.
Those delays create an issue in providing prompt care in critical situations like heart attacks and strokes.
As Alderman Tom Vos – a former rescue member said – when that delay is five minutes or more, the chance for a positive outcome is strongly diminished.
While the first responders would not necessarily improve rescue squad response times, it would get qualified personnel on site quicker. Howard said, at a minimum, three vehicles within the fire department would be outfitted with an extensive first-aid pack and an AED, and hopefully all four vehicles the department uses for that type of response.
Aurora’s Dr. Steven Andrews – who is the medical director for the rescue squad – would also serve as medical director for the first responders, which would allow for joint training.
About the only real criticism of the plan Tuesday night came in terms of the fact that members of the rescue squad were not present. Howard reassured City Council members that rescue members are aware of the proposal and in support of it, but that they hadn’t been specifically notified of the meeting.
Howard also said he would discuss the proposal with the squad Wednesday.
Alderman Bob Prailes said his main concern was that rescue would find out about the discussion through the newspaper, rather than from people who should have been speaking with them to begin with.
“Maybe we should have told them we were doing this,” Prailes said. “I think people might be offended.”
Vos said there was no element of surprise, especially with the rescue squad aware of Howard’s push for the first responders.
“It should absolutely not be a surprise to anybody,” he said.
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Why would we care about some fragile egos? Do what is right and get it done! The first question that should have been asked is WHY DON’T WE HAVE THE PEOPLE CERTIFIED TO DRIVE THE AMBULANCE? Seems like quite the no brainer to me. The second question is why does someone need to be certified to drive a van?
The Burlington Rescue Squad is to my thinking the single greatest volunteer entity in our area. The members who staff it are highly trained men and women who sacrifice their personal lives for the benefit of others. Last year, the squad responded to a record 1,127 calls which is nothing short of amazing for an all-volunteer, 24/7, 365-days-a-year service.
There is no question here about the benefit, capability or commitment of squad members. They are community heroes of the highest degree.
The story posted here and in the Nov. 21 print edition of the Standard Press has drawn harsh and critical response from city officials and rescue squad members. In no way was this story intended to convey that squad members are somehow not qualified to handle their duties or, worse, are putting lives at risk. There is no doubt they are saving lives on a regular basis.
The story is a report out of Tuesday night’s City Council Committee of the Whole meeting in which the prospect of using first-responders to supplement Rescue Squad services was discussed in a public forum. The problem, as presented by the fire chief, is that during some weekday shifts the Rescue Squad is short-staffed (mainly due to work requirements) and response times can be delayed until sufficient staffing arrives. Daytime staffing problems are widespread at volunteer departments throughout the country. It’s a societal problem, not a Burlington-specific problem — and it makes sense for the city to at least consider options if staffing problems should occur.
As a newspaper it is our mission and our duty to report what transpires at meetings such as this. Whether we did that with sufficient clarity or sensitivity is in the eye of the beholder and we are open to your suggestions and criticism. We stand by the story as an accurate account of what was discussed at the meeting and will gladly correct and apologize for any errors substantiated to us.
The Standard Press intends to follow up on this important community story and give the impacted people and entities a chance to more fully present their views of the situation. Unfortunately, that was not possible Tuesday because the story was written immediately after the meeting and the newspaper went into production by 7 a.m. Wednesday. The fact that Rescue Squad members were not present at the meeting had nothing to do with this newspaper or website.
In hindsight, however, I regret that our coverage did not do more to show greater sensitivity to the members of the Rescue Squad. In our rush to get the news out we sometimes forget to give sufficient consideration to volunteers such as these who through no fault of their own become subject of newspaper stories.
For that I apologize, because I’m one of the Burlington residents who sleeps better at night knowing the Burlington Rescue Squad is on call.
Anyone who is even remotely involved in this issue knows that the problem does not arise from “fragile egos.” The goal of Burlington Rescue Squad is, and always has been, to help the people of the community as best as possible. If there is a problem in the way thats done, then fair enough bring it up with the squad. Don’t form a plan thats going to greatly impact the squad without involving them. “Fragile egos” are not the reason the squad isn’t jumping for joy at this idea, it pertains more so to the fact that the idea contradicts itself just as the article does. The problem is a response time that 9 seconds longer than the ideal time, the article clearly states “…the first responders would not necessarily improve rescue squad response times.” Its not benefitial and its not well thought out. Back to the drawing board and this time how about working together?
You are right this is not about egos, except for maybe Chief Howards. He has not started out on the right foot by his underhand tactics. He stated that he had the “full” support of the squad. How could his be true if he is at a meeting on Tuesday night and is planning on informing the squad on Wednesday night. Nor did he inform the rescue squad chief of his intention for the meeting so that he may be there to state the position of the squad.
Lets take a look at the truth you are getting.
First – Burlingtonn Rescues response times are high and it would get help on scene faster. Truth – Burlington Rescues response times are faster than the national average. Most of the time there is a member on scene within minute. Some members go to the station to get the ambulance and some go to the scene to provide care right away. Cheif Howard does not even hold a Wisconsin EMT license. He legally can not touch a patient.
Second; this will be without additional cost. Truth – It takes a lot of money to outfit the first responder untit. Who is going to pay for this? Does he plan on billing for this extra service? Your insurance will not cover this extra expense. This will come out of your pocket. Is he trying to increase revenue or call volume to prove that Burlington needs a full time department?
Third; Training can be done together. Truth – Rescue squad members train very hard to provide the best care. They go above and beyond by going to conferences and extra classes. Are these fire fighters going to give up even more time away from their jobs and families? If so, why dont they just join the squad. They are welcome.
Burlington has been very forutnate to have a group of men and women that are willing to volunteer their time for no compensation. They are rewards by knowing they are giving back to their community knowing they have made a difference. This is enough for them.
Burlington is not like the big city in Illinois that Chief Howard comes from. So what are Chief Howards true intentions? Full time department? Extra cost of taxes? Only time will tell. But we need to listen between the words.
Please, lets stop casually throwing around this “hero” thing. I am so tired of firefighter types self imposing this title on themselves. These men and women do a great job and their work is very valuable, just like nurses, doctors, cops, etc. They’re professionals no doubt, but stop proclaiming yourselves as hero’s…..eg the “Hero Center” at the gateway building.
The Burlington Area Rescue Squad and the City of Burlington Fire Department did not name the Gateway building. HERO Center stands for “Health and Emergency Response Occupations” Center.