In an effort to save money, a Texas city wants firefighters to no longer respond to most medical calls, as well as shootings and stabbings.
The decision has upset Pinehurst firefighters, who have started a petition in an effort to have officials reverse course, KBMT-TV reports. In June, city officials determined that it would be able to lower costs stemming from its dispatch contract with Bridge City if crews responded to fewer calls.
“This came about when the city administrator deemed that all medical calls were unnecessary for us to respond to,” Fire Chief Shon Branham told The Orange Leader. “In our view, as first responders, breathing problems, chest pains, childbirth, choking, falls, diabetics, seizures, strokes, unresponsive persons, and unconsciousness are calls we feel necessary that a first responder should go to.”
Branham and other Pinehurst firefighter also worry that the minor calls they aren't responding to could turn into larger incidents that would require the attention of the department. Under the new procedure, crews would only be allowed to respond to structure fires, fire alarms, gas leaks, downed power lines, known cardiac arrest and vehicle crashes with fluids on the ground.
“All of us took oaths to protect lives and property and we take that oath seriously,” Branham told the Leader. “At Easter we did a city-wide parade due to the impact of COVID-19 to let the citizens know that we were here for them. Now this is heartbreaking that the city administrator is telling us we can’t be there for them, unless it’s a CPR in progress call.”
