Podcast Summary
Firefighter's role evolution: Firefighting is no longer just about putting out fires; it's a profession with trained individuals available 24/7 for various emergencies, including EMS calls, resulting in a growing number of salaried firefighters.
The role of firefighters has evolved significantly over the years. While the bravery and heroism of firefighters battling infernos to save lives is a well-known narrative, the reality is that the frequency of such incidents has decreased due to safety regulations and new technologies. However, the number of salaried firefighters continues to grow as the nature of the job has shifted towards responding to a larger volume of EMS calls. Firefighting used to be the responsibility of the general public, but now it's a profession staffed by trained individuals who are available 24/7 to respond to various emergencies. The adrenaline-pumping experience of fighting a fire is just one aspect of the job, and exhaustion often follows. Despite the changes, the importance of firefighters in keeping communities safe remains crucial.
Firefighting evolution: Firefighting has transitioned from a fee-based service to a public service funded through taxes, grants, and community efforts, with a focus on saving lives and protecting property rather than making a profit.
The fire department has evolved from a fee-based service to a public service funded through taxes, grants, and community efforts. Firefighting is no longer a profit-making business but an essential service to save lives and protect property. Firefighters, including Steve Pedram, are deeply passionate about their work and have been since childhood. The profession requires dedication, certification, and a strong commitment to the community. As a volunteer or a career firefighter, the mission is to save lives and property, with a focus on public service rather than profit. Firefighting is an insurance policy for the community, and the fire department's priority is to serve and protect.
Cost of EMS equipment: The cost of EMS equipment, including fire engines, ladders, specialized tools, and firefighter gear, is extremely high, with a single fire engine costing nearly a million dollars and a fully outfitted firefighter costing up to $20,000. Investing in high-quality gear ultimately benefits departments in the long run despite the initial high cost.
The cost of equipment and resources in the fire and emergency medical services (EMS) sector is extremely high. From fire engines and ladders to specialized tools and personal protective gear, the price tags are astronomical. A single fire engine can cost nearly a million dollars, and a ladder truck might cost twice as much. The equipment on these trucks, such as pry bars and hydraulic rescue tools, can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Firefighter gear, which must meet federal safety standards, is also expensive, with a fully outfitted firefighter costing up to $20,000. While there are cost-effective options, investing in high-quality gear ultimately benefits departments in the long run. The risk of using cheaper gear and having it fail, potentially leading to injuries or even fatalities, far outweighs the initial savings. In most cases, fire departments are run by volunteers with low labor costs, but they protect half the US population. Only 9% of departments are made up entirely of full-time salaried firefighters.
Fire department costs and benefits: Fire departments have high operational costs but provide essential emergency response services, with firefighters living at the station and always on call, aiming for quick response times
Running a fire department is a costly endeavor, with a significant portion of the budget going towards salaries, healthcare, and pensions. Despite these expenses, the return on investment is a round-the-clock emergency response service. Firefighters' days begin with routine maintenance and station clean-up, and they live at the station for shifts lasting two days followed by four days off. They are always on call and must drop everything to respond to emergencies, with the goal of being on the engine and out the door within one minute during the day and within two minutes at night. The use of fire poles instead of stairs helps ensure a quick response time.
Fire department trends: Fire departments face new challenges as they respond to fewer fires and more medical emergencies, including lithium-ion battery fires which are difficult to extinguish and can reignite.
While the average response time of a fire department to a 911 call is under five and a half minutes, fires are becoming less frequent for firefighters as they increasingly respond to medical emergencies. Among the various types of fires, kitchen fires caused by cooking mishaps remain common, but there's a growing trend of lithium-ion battery fires due to the widespread use of these batteries in devices like phones, computers, and electric vehicles. These fires are particularly challenging to extinguish and can reignite even after being put out. Despite these challenges, fire departments continue to prioritize fire response and adapt to new hazards, such as electric scooters and hoverboards, which can also pose fire risks. Overall, while fires may not be the most frequent type of emergency response, their potential impact and complexity make them an essential part of a fire department's mission.
Firefighter role expansion: Though fire numbers have decreased, firefighter demand increased due to expanded roles, responding to 36M+ calls annually, mostly non-fire related
Despite a significant decrease in the number of fires over the past three decades, the demand for firefighters has increased. According to research, structure fires have dropped by 34%, vehicle fires by nearly 60%, outside fires by over 40%, and all other fire types by more than 50%. This has led to a decrease in fire-related deaths and injuries. However, the number of salaried firefighters has increased by 54%. This may seem contradictory, but it's due to the fact that fire departments respond to over 36 million calls each year, more than three times as many as they did three decades ago. Only less than 4% of these calls are related to fires. Instead, firefighters are often called to assist with medical emergencies, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, and other non-fire related situations. Therefore, the need for firefighters has expanded beyond just fighting fires.
Non-emergency medical calls trend: Non-emergency medical calls account for 80% of fire department responses, and ambulance shortages lead to long response times for critical situations due to economics, with for-profit ambulance agencies needing to maintain financial viability
Today's fire departments face a significant number of non-emergency medical calls, which account for approximately 80% of their responses. These calls, which include situations like headaches, back pain, and other minor medical issues, are considered emergencies by those in need. The origins of this trend can be traced back to the 1950s when funeral homes provided ambulance services before being replaced by dedicated ambulance services. However, many areas face ambulance shortages due to private companies operating these services, leading to long response times for critical medical situations. For instance, in San Mateo County, with a population of 730,000, there are only around 20 ambulances available, resulting in an average response time of 10-15 minutes for emergencies. Economics plays a significant role, as for-profit ambulance agencies need to maintain financial viability. Consequently, they cannot afford to have more than the current number of ambulances on the road. This situation underscores the need for innovative solutions to address the shortage of ambulances and ensure timely medical responses for those in need.
Fire departments and medical emergencies: Fire departments play a crucial role in emergency medical services due to their faster response times, but the cost-effectiveness of using fire engines instead of ambulances for medical calls is debated
Fire departments have become an integral part of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system due to the response time advantage they offer. With paramedics and EMTs stationed at many fire stations, fire engines are often dispatched to medical emergencies before ambulances, leading to faster response times and better patient outcomes. However, the cost-effectiveness of using fire trucks instead of ambulances for medical calls is a subject of debate. While the labor costs of EMTs and paramedics are lower than those of firefighters, and the cost of a fire engine is significantly higher than that of an ambulance, the marginal cost of sending a fire crew to a medical call is relatively low given the resources already available. According to a study by Joshua Hurwitz, the average cost of a single firefighter response is over $400, including all types of responses. Although the cost-effectiveness of using fire engines for medical calls may not be ideal, the value of having firefighters on the scene, regardless of the nature of the emergency, is immeasurable, according to Herbert.
Firefighter's economic impact: Firefighters' commitment to helping anyone in need goes beyond employment costs, providing significant economic benefits through saving lives and making a difference in the community.
The value of a firefighter's work goes beyond employment costs due to the potential economic value of saving a life. Firefighters are known for their commitment to helping anyone in need, no matter the situation. From changing tires to performing CPR or diving into a pond to rescue a child, firefighters have the tools and expertise to solve a wide range of problems. This dedication to service, which can have significant economic benefits, is a fundamental aspect of the fire service. For everyday economics, I'm Zachary Crockett. This episode was produced by me, Sarah Lilly, and mixed by Jeremy Johnston, with help from Daniel Moritz-Raphson. Special thanks to listener Robin Hall for suggesting this topic. Firefighting can be a challenging job, with late-night calls and the potential for physical discomfort, but the reward of saving lives and making a difference in the community makes it all worthwhile.