Monday, January 21, 2008 10:22 PM CST
Calls for service increase 11% over 2006
By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — The Charleston Fire and Rescue Department’s ambulance calls continued a recent trend in 2007, increasing by 11 percent in 2007 over 2006.
In addition, other calls for service increased by 48 percent in 2007 due in large part to a new state law that requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in most buildings containing bedrooms, officials said.
Ambulance calls increased from 2,779 in 2006 to 3,110 in 2007, according to data provided by the department. Fire Chief Kris Phipps said the department’s ambulance calls have increased over the course of the last five years. Previous figures included 2,577 ambulance calls in 2005, 2,422 in 2004, and 2,200 in 2003.
“I believe you will see that trend go up even more,” Phipps said.
According to Phipps, the main reason for the increase in ambulance calls is that baby boomers are aging and, consequently, suffering more ailments. He said other factors include an increase in Eastern Illinois University’s enrollment and a nursing shortage that has prompted some people to call paramedics for assistance.
“The purchase of that fourth ambulance (in February 2007) helped us get where we can handle these statistics,” Phipps said. “We would not be able to handle that many calls if we did not have the four ambulances.”
Ambulance calls comprised approximately 83 percent of the 3,738 calls for service that the department received in 2007, Phipps said. The department received 3,201 calls for service in 2006.
Minus the ambulance calls, the department handled 628 other calls for service in 2007. These calls were up from 422 in 2006.
“Most of it is attributable to the carbon monoxide calls,” Phipps said.
A new state law that went into effect Jan. 1, 2007, requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in most buildings containing bedrooms, including single-family residences, and apartment buildings.
Phipps said AmerenCIPS does not investigate activated carbon monoxide detectors anymore, so the department has taken on this responsibility to a greater degree. He said the department has a monitor that can measure carbon monoxide levels, and this monitor has been needed three to six times a month since the law went into effect.
“One of the detectors will start beeping and people will not know what to do, so they will call the fire department,” Phipps said.
Residents may also be more aware of the department’s services due to its stepped up educational programs, Phipps noted. For example, firefighter-paramedic James Calvert organized a drunk driving accident demonstration in May for juniors and seniors at Charleston High School.
The department’s other calls for service also included 221 false alarms, as well as fires involving structures, vehicles, cooking, trash, fall foliage, and brush.
Phipps said property losses to fires totaled approximately $219,568 in 2007, down from more than $300,000 in 2006.
Last year’s fires included a transformer fire at Eastern’s University Union, a generator fire at the high school, a furnace fire at Priceless Car Care and Towing, a generator fire at a Consolidated Communications facility on Seventh Street, and more than half a dozen fires of various sizes at private residences.
The home of Gina Giberson at 211 Fourth St. was destroyed by two fires, the first of which was reported on the morning of Oct. 16. Firefighters returned to the location after a second fire was reported there the following morning.
The Charleston Police Department and the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating these blazes, which fire investigators have determined were caused by arson. Jason A. Abernathy, 33, is facing aggravated domestic battery charges that allege he severely beat Giberson on Oct. 16 in her home.
Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 348-5734.
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Chris 2.0 wrote on Jan 22, 2008 7:00 AM: