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How has the Economic Crisis affected your FD responses?
We all have felt the economonic crisis, and it is still fairly young with this upcoming roller coaster ride. I have already seen two incidents that may have been directly related to it. A suspected head-on suicide MVC (car verse propane tanker) and the second call was a person who perished from using an alternate heating source.
So has your fire department considered how the economic crisis will affect the number of calls or specific types of FD responses?
So has your fire department considered how the economic crisis will affect the number of calls or specific types of FD responses?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by T.J. on
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Good question FETC, I dont think we've had a direct call relating to it so far, but I'm guessing this winter will be a much different story with people looking for different heat sources, and I'm sure we'll get more car accidents do to people buying gas saver cars and trading in their 4x4 or awd vehicles.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly A Bownas on
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This has definitely crossed my mind. I have thought about the number of chimney fires we have and how that may increase and the fact that EMS calls are most likely going to increase. With the price of fuel oil being so ridiculously high, how can we afford it. I have concerns for the elderly on fixed incomes as well as families in the same predicament. It is a concern. I live 2 blocks from the station so 99% of the time I go to the firehouse and catch either one of the fire trucks or I take the ambulance. This is definitely tough times....
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on
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The thing I have noticed throughout my local are is a lack of responders going to calls. Fuel costs are high and everyone is working hard and extra hours to provide for their families. Luckily my department acted upon this before any economic crisis occured and established a incentive pay. This has helped to ease the burden on us the responders, and also has a mandatory training level that is to be achieved to collect incentive.
As far as calls go, I can see some more building fires occuring due to the economic crisis. People can collect a large insurance check for a burnt home or lose the home to foreclosure due to adjustable rate mortgages. Arson has always been a problem when the economy is in the toilet.
People using alternate heating methods will be an issue. Kerosene heaters will get filled with gasoline (maybe not in my town but it sure happens often enough) electric heaters will be used and fireplaces/woodstoves will be used. These alternate heating sources will cause an increase in fires due to the nature of the heating process.
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