Excerpts from shawlocal.com:
The McHenry Township Fire Protection District is preparing for a surge in emergency calls. In 2022, they anticipate 7,400 service requests, a 7.6% rise compared to 2021. This follows a 21% increase in ambulance calls over the past two years, signaling a growing demand on local emergency services.
Like many industries, the fire department is facing challenges with staffing, equipment delays, and supply chain issues. A lack of applicants for firefighter positions has led to a shift in staffing strategy. Earlier this year, the district began hiring full-time firefighters for the first time, marking a major change from its traditional part-time model. The board approved 12 full-time firefighter/paramedics in December, and another 12 were added in May.
These full-time hires join existing office staff, lieutenants, battalion chiefs, and 90 part-time firefighters, ensuring 24/7 coverage across the district’s five stations. The area served includes Bull Valley, Johnsburg, Holiday Hills, Lakemoor, McCullom Lake, McHenry, Ringwood, parts of Wonder Lake and Island Lake, and unincorporated areas of McHenry County.
With rising call volumes, the fire district is now focused on expanding its ambulance fleet. They recently received a $361,000 grant from Advance McHenry County to purchase a sixth ambulance. Five more are already on order as part of a seven-year vehicle rotation plan. Two units are expected by October, ahead of schedule, and one more in March 2023. Another two, ordered in July, won’t arrive until 2024. When the new ambulance is ordered, there could be an 18-month to two-year wait due to production lead times.
Currently, the district operates seven ambulances. Five are stationed at fire stations, while two are kept on standby for special events, high-volume days, or in case of breakdowns. Transport times have also increased, with trips taking anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour round trip, adding to operational strain.
More ambulance calls are coming with longer transport times. The time it takes to transport a patient to a hospital and return can take from 30 minutes to more than an hour.To address the growing number of calls, the district has launched educational initiatives aimed at reducing preventable emergencies. Falls, lift assists, and mental health evaluations make up about a third of all medical calls. They are working with local social workers and conducting community programs to help reduce these incidents.
The impact of the pandemic on call volume has also been significant. At the start of the crisis in March 2020, ambulance calls dropped as people avoided hospitals. But by summer, delayed care led to an increase in urgent cases. Since March 13, 2020, the district has transported 769 patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Thanks, Rob
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