CAPE GIRARDEAU FIREFIGHTERS FACE ANOTHER BUSY YEAR IN 1994

The Cape Girardeau Fire Department in 1993 experienced what probably was its busiest year in terms of total responses. Indications are that this year will be even busier.

The reason for the big increase in the number of 1993 responses is that in May the department began going to medical emergencies. By the end of the year about 700 such responses were made, bringing the total number of responses -- the others being to fires, lockouts and other service calls -- to 1,695 for the year, an 86 percent increase over the 911 responses made in 1992.

The decision to respond to medical assistance calls was a wise one. With four firehouses situated strategically throughout the city, the department is in closer proximity to a greater area of the city than is the ambulance service. It, therefore, can offer faster response time.

In a medical emergency, a few minutes can determine the difference between life and death. In those cases when the department arrives before the ambulance service firefighters can provide emergency treatment until ambulance personnel arrive.

It also made sense because many firefighters were already medically certified. The department prepared itself for the added service by holding first-responder classes for all uncertified personnel and police dispatchers prior to its implementation. Other firefighters who were already certified first-responders took the course as a refresher. In addition to the first-responders, the department has four paramedics and 19 emergency medical technicians, so its staff was well-equipped for the added service.

The first-responder program was implemented at relatively low cost. The city allotted $9,000 for the conversion, mostly for purchase of medical supplies and equipment. In addition to the $9,000, service clubs and other organizations donated money for medical equipment or purchased equipment for the department.

Fire Chief Robert L. Ridgeway foresees the service growing and becoming more sophisticated by the end of this year. Plans are to provide in-house EMT classes to upgrade certificates of first-responders and to assign a paramedic around the clock to each medical assistance vehicle at each firehouse. That move would enable the department to perform all advanced life-support functions.

Other training also is in store for firefighters this year. Plans are to provide training to increase the level of certification of all department personnel to Firefighter 2 status under National Fire Protection Association guidelines.

The department expects to generate an annual training schedule through which firefighters know at the first of each year what they will be expected to complete by the end of each year. Some firefighters will attend classes at the National Fire Academy and some will attend regional and state training programs.

Indeed, 1993 was a productive year for the fire department, one which we expect will serve as a foundation for an even better first-responder program. Cape Girardeans can take comfort in knowing that highly-trained firefighters will be there when the need arises.