Tasmania Branch

Debate about health care reform is raging across the United States, a nation where it's citizens pay more for 091021_sfc crisis sign_stockxchng_nicothein_250 [091021_sfc_crisis_sign_stockxchng_nicothein_250.jpg]

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health care than any other country on the planet. Meanwhile, firefighters - as first responders - are finding they are becoming the primary medical providers to the poor.

A recent story in the New York Times brings home the point. It found in Washington, the US capital, firefighters were responding to at least at least one medical emergency call per hour. About 80% of calls handled by Washington's Engine Company 10 are medical emergencies. This fire station serves Trinidad, a low income neighbourhood in the city where few residents have health insurance. The New York Times says health checkups are rare, and the residents' medical problems "are left to fester until someone dials 911."

GFC impact
In many larger cities across the United States, these types of demands on firefighters are being made worse by global financial crisis (GFC) induced budget shortfalls. These have led to the elimination or planned elimination of 6,000 firefighter jobs in the past year. According to the IAFF, that's about 2% of all firefighters. At the same time, emergency calls have increased by 1.2 million, or 3.5 percent, across a 12 month period.