I have been in the fire service for 15 years, as a volunteer and a career member. The paid department I work for has 10 stations that house 10 engine companies, two truck companies, and four paramedic ambulances. All engine and truck companies run with an officer, an engineer, and a firefighter; our medic units are staffed with two firefighter/paramedics. Our run card file for residential fires consists of one district chief (DC), two engine companies, one truck company, and one medic unit. Response to commercial fires consists of two DCs, three engines, two trucks, and one medic. High-rise (four stories or greater) fires get two DCs, four engines, two trucks, and two medic units.
When I first heard of the proposed NFPA 1710, I thought this was just the break my department and many other departments need to justify to mayors and city managers the increasing of staffing levels. I am disappointed in some fire department leaders' responses to this standard, including some in my department. It is very hard for me to understand why anyone in the fire service would not support this proposal 100 percent. It is very important to get the message out to the public explaining how limited we are with staffing levels at three or fewer.
Residents calling for an ambulance and having an ambulance and an ALS engine or a truck company respond often ask why this is so. Once we explain the need for extra help on serious calls or that the fire apparatus was much closer than the ambulance and contains a paramedic, it is amazing at the positive responses we receive.
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