Michigan Firefighters Balk at Plan to Limit Medical Runs

MUNDY TWP. - A proposal to cut the number of medical runs performed by the township's fire department drew strong opposition Monday from firefighters, residents, elected officials - and the fire chief.

Under the so-called "five-minute rule," local firefighters would respond to a call for emergency medical services only if an ambulance was unable to make it to the scene in five minutes.

Currently, the fire department responds to all medical calls.

"It's critical that we get to the scene first," firefighter Gerald Woodruff told Township Board members at a regular meeting. "We're providing a life-saving service to our community."

Treasurer Dave Guigear, a proponent of the five-minute rule, said it would avoid duplicating services provided by the fire department, paramedics and ambulances.

"There's no sense in duplicating services three times over," he said. "If we can save money in this fashion, we can serve the community well."

Guigear said the five-minute rule is used in Davison, Otisville and Richfield, Davison and Thetford townships. Other communities don't make any medical runs.

Several residents spoke against making cuts, crediting the fire department's quick responses with averting tragedy.

"They saved my mother's life," Mike Taylor said. "Paramedics got there 10 minutes later."

"The quickest an ambulance has gotten to my house is 25 minutes," said Trustee Robert Neumann. "If I had to wait for that, I'd be in big trouble."

According to township statistics, ambulances arrived first or at the same time as fire crews in 91 out of 191 medical calls in the township, Guigear said.

Fire Chief Toney Romans wasn't swayed.

"I do not support the five-minute rule," Romans said. "It's not in the best interests of our residents."

Neumann, who serves on Genesee County's 911 committee, said that while the county is working on improving ambulance service, the system remains flawed.

"We're not ready for that five-minute rule yet," he said.

Guigear said the township receives many more medical calls than much-larger Fenton Township does and can't afford to continue to respond to them all, given budgetary constraints.

"I know this isn't a popular thing," he said, "but we don't want to have to eliminate medical runs."

Trustee Tonya Ketzler expressed concern about safety when three different emergency vehicles converge on a medical scene. Accidents have occurred, Guigear said.

Dollars saved by the five-minute rule - recommended by the township's fire committee - could be used by the fire department for other needs, including training and equipment, Guigear said.

"It would save money, but I don't believe it's a good thing," firefighter Woodruff said. "People will fall through the cracks."

The board asked Neumann and fire department personnel to further explore the measure.