FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED TO 2,218 CALLS

Cape Girardeau firefighters responded to 2,218 calls in 1994, more than half to assist residents with medical emergencies.

In essence, the fire department doubled its workload in 1994, the first year of the first-responder system.

"First responder" means the state has certified firefighters to lend assistance in a medical emergency. Some firefighters also are emergency medical technicians and paramedics, which requires significantly more training than the first-responder certification.

Chief Robert Ridgeway of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department said the department began responding to medical emergencies in May 1993.

Last year was the first full year the department has responded to the requests for medical assistance in Cape Girardeau. Firefighters were summoned to 1,164 calls for medical assistance in 1994.

"It's doubled our workload," Ridgeway said, "but in light of what's gained by the citizens, it's worth it. It's a nominal cost to save a life, and that's what we're all about."

Ridgeway said with four stations scattered around Cape Girardeau, the firefighters can get to many medical emergencies in the city before the ambulance service. He said firefighters and the personnel with the ambulance service work well together.

"They don't want our jobs and we don't want theirs," he said. "Our folks and their people work out on the street together everyday, and they support each other. There's a lot of mutual respect there."

In addition to the calls for medical assistance, the fire department still goes to fires, and what layman would call false alarms.

Firefighters responded to 170 system malfunctions last year, the highest number of calls behind requests for medical assistance.

Ridgeway said a "system malfunction" isn't always a false alarm. He said many times the alarm is doing what it's supposed to do, but there isn't a fire.

Fire crews were called to 86 structure fires in Cape Girardeau last year. One of those fires resulted in the only fatality the fire department logged in 1994.

Lois J. Middlebrook, 76, of 514 Amethyst died May 16 after suffering second and third degree burns at her home. Officials believe Middlebrook fell asleep while smoking on a couch and caught herself and the furniture on fire. She died while trying to put the fire out, officials said.

Eight firefighters and five civilians were injured in fires last year.

Ridgeway said injuries to firefighters ranged from sprained ankles to serious injuries like Randy Morris. Morris was injured Nov. 20 when a wall collapsed on him while fighting a fire at Plaza Tire.

Injuries to civilians also ranged in severity.

"But several people owe their lives to our guys," Ridgeway said.

Four civilians were injured in structure fires and the remaining injury occurred during a vehicle fire.

TOP 10 CALLS

Emergency medical calls 1,164

System malfunctions 170

Structure fires 86

Vehicle fires 81

Smoke scares 59

Spills or leaks 54

Response canceled 54

Unauthorized burnings 51

Lock outs 51

Brush fires 49

Refuse fire 42

Malicious false calls 27

Unclassified incidents 27

Extrications 25

Electrical shorts 25

Good intent, unclassified 24

Unclassified service calls 16

Power line down 16

Unclassified false calls 14

Smoke odor removal 13

Total Calls 2,218INJURES

Firefighters injured 8

Civilians injured 5

Civilian fatalities 1

Source: Cape Girardeau Fire Department