The Fire and Ambulance Services recorded a decrease in the number of ambulance calls for the year 2009.
Acting Deputy Fire Officer Anthony Williams told a press conference yesterday that there was a decrease of 829 ambulance calls last year compared to the previous year.
“In 2009 we responded to 5,888 calls, a difference of 829 and the percentage change of 12.4 percent decrease…our calls have been reduced significantly,” Williams said.
Anthony said that in 2009, there were also decreases in dwelling house, electrical, motor vehicle and aircraft fires.
However, he noted an increase in the total number of bush fires from 79 in 2008 to 103 in 2009. Williams also revealed that there was a slight increase in false, malicious or “prank calls” by three as opposed to one in 2008.
Meanwhile, there was an increase in fires on business premises from four in 2008 to five last year.
Williams also added that though there was a decrease in ambulance calls last year there was a peak in damage loss from $1,802,202.13 in 2008 to $2,584, 661.25 in 2009, a 43.4 percent increase.
According to the acting deputy fire chief, a total of 5, 439 were trained last year as opposed to 3,019 in 2008.
Meanwhile, Chief Fire Officer Josiah Dupuis indicated that part of the reason for the reduction of ambulances calls was the lack of ambulances in health districts around the country.
“In 2009, you may remember that, especially in the earlier part of the year, we struggled tremendously with our ambulance situation. In fact…I want to indicate that part of the reason you see the reduction in ambulance calls for the period of 2009 is truly reflective of the absence of ambulances in every health district, and it is not necessarily reflective of our help across the board in Dominica. But I am thankful to say that during the last quarter of 2009 we, through the government, have procured two ambulances…”Dupuis said in his address.
Yesterday, several firemen from various districts in Dominica were awarded plaques and small monetary contribution for their outstanding work in 2009.
Fireman Michael Riley was named Overall Fireman of the year 2009.
One of the things that would really help PMH would be a helicopter to shorten response time’s It could also be used to fly patients to Guadeloupe or Martinique if need be for further treatment as long as an agreement could be established with the Government of France.
I applaud the fire service for their excellent work
While the ambulance fleet is grossly inadequate, every effort must be made to drive ambulances in a responsible manner so as to maximise the life span of these ambulances. More importantly, this limited fleet of ambulances must be driven with due care and attention, so that the precious lives being transported are not endangered. One patient who was being transported on a Land Rover ambulance (Alpha Bravo 38?), died shortly after an accident involving the Land Rover ambulance. (The exact cause of death of this carib woman was to have been investigated). There were many other road accidents involving ambulances (Alpha Bravo 40), the new nissan (Alpha Bravo 46) registration number GA300, has had at least three accidents, The Hyundai (Alpha Bravo 45) has had a few, the most recent involving Alpha Bravo 45 was only a few days ago at Canefield, and, there was a precious life being transported then. Don’t speak about the Toyota ambulances with regestration numbers GA175 and GA176. The recently donated New Ford ambulance (Alpha Bravo 47) air marked for the St. Joseph health area, which is probably the best equiped has already recieved a few dents to it’s left lower siding! Speaking of which, all its four wheel covers are now off. Could it be that people are becoming scared of utilising the ambulance service and so could this be another factor why there was a reduction in ambulance calls during the year 2009?
i guess people prefer to stay at their home and die