Rockford firefighters and area nurses perform home visits

It's somewhat similar to how social service agencies aim to reduce their own necessity—fire departments also work to minimize the need for their services.

While most cities require new homes to have smoke detectors, many fire departments offer free smoke detectors and conduct home safety inspections for residents in older homes. Sprinkler systems are now mandatory in new commercial buildings, especially high-rises. According to the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station, the number of wildfires caused by discarded cigarettes has dropped by 90% over the years.

This effort has led to a nationwide decrease in fires. Rockford is no different. In 2014, there were 638 structure and non-structure fires, a 20% drop from 796 in 2005.

Even with fewer fires, the Rockford Fire Department’s call volume has increased by about 3% annually. Out of last year’s 26,010 calls, only 2.45% were related to fires. A staggering 80% were for EMS or search and rescue operations.

The rise in medical calls is largely due to an aging population, particularly Baby Boomers. Between January and September 2014, 20 individuals made 192 emergency room visits at SwedishAmerican Hospital.

In response, the Rockford Fire Department partnered with SwedishAmerican Hospital to launch a pilot program called Mobile Integrated Healthcare. The initiative targeted a group of about 20 “frequent fliers”—individuals who made multiple 911 calls and used ambulance services frequently.

Bob Vertiz, the EMS coordinator for the Rockford Fire Department, along with two nurses trained in case management and social services, visited these individuals at home. While Vertiz checked for fire hazards, the nurses ensured patients were following their medication plans and attending doctor appointments. They also addressed any other health concerns the patients had.

“Most of these people have real health issues,” said Knott. “The goal of this program is to connect them with the right care. Taking someone to the hospital isn’t always the best solution. What they really need is long-term support, and that’s what we’re offering.”

The results of the pilot program are expected to be shared at the November Rock Stat meeting.

Expanding the program may require short-term investment, but considering the costs of each ambulance and fire truck response, it could lead to significant savings for both the city and its residents over time.

“It’s not just about money for us,” Knott added. “We're focused on the well-being of our patients.”

Heather Schafer, CEO of the National Volunteer Fire Council, noted that volunteer fire departments are seeing a similar trend: fewer fires, but more than 80% of their calls are now for EMS. Many of these departments operate with limited resources compared to full-time fire departments.

“Many departments are asking firefighters to be cross-trained, and funding is definitely a challenge,” she said. “When you think about training, equipment, and apparatus costs, it’s not cheap.”

Cherry Valley Fire Protection District Chief Craig Wilt explained that his department has 15 full-time and 30 paid-on-call firefighters. He said EMS calls make up 75% to 80% of their workload.

“As the Baby Boomer generation ages, we expect the number of EMS calls to keep rising,” he said.

Although OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center offers free paramedic training, Wilt pointed out that obtaining certification can take two years. During this time, other firefighters must cover shifts, leading to higher overtime costs.

To manage this, Wilt said, “All new full-time hires must already be certified paramedics when they start.”

Conical Twin Screw Barrel

Extrusion Twin Screw Barrel for Pvc,Extrusion Twin Screw Barrel for Pp,Extrusion Twin Screw Barrel for Wpc

ZHEJIANG BOHAI MACHINERY CO., LTD , https://www.bohai-screw.com