Change dispatch protocol to save cash

Re: Ready for fire fight, by Chris Thompson, June 15.

Your article failed to address one area where a great deal of money can be saved by addressing tiered dispatch protocol.

The original criteria for tiered response for firefighters in the Essex County were: unconscious patient, chest pain, or heart attack or stroke symptoms, trouble breathing/shortness of breath, vital signs absent and uncontrolled bleeding.

Now, it seems firefighters are responding unnecessarily to incidents much more minor in nature than previously mentioned. The problem rests with the protocol the dispatchers follow. It needs to be reviewed. The dispatch protocol regarding carbon monoxide or smoke alarms going off is in some municipalities a money pit.

To send four to six firefighters is totally unnecessary.

If the caller is reporting symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, the fire department should respond. Two firefighters on call with pagers and a command car can easily handle the job and reduce cost.

There is another easy way to save dollars. When firefighters have been told to “stand down” prior to a run because they’re not needed, they currently still send a large truck with a full crew to take the report.

If it’s absolutely necessary, send a command car, not an engine, to gather the information. Otherwise, pick up the phone and call the OPP or the emergency medical services dispatcher for the incident number for your report.

This letter is in no way a criticism of the job police officers, firefighters and paramedics do to save lives daily. What I am pointing out is a need for change to the dispatch criteria to cut costs and even make first-responders more efficient.

Paul Robertson, Lakeshore