By EMS1 Staff
NASHVILLE — A fire department has sparked concern from residents after cutting paramedics from three different stations.
WKRN reported that the Nashville Fire Department initiated the reduction phase of Advanced Life Support engines at Engine 28, Engine 9 and Engine 6.
“I think every engine in this city should be equipped with advance life support capability, it’s just the right thing to do,” International Association of Firefighters President Mark Young said. “Anytime you can get advance care to the scene first I think that’s exactly the way we should be thinking.”
The stations will still be equipped with Basic Life Support engines, but Young said it is a “reduction in care.”
“The first equipment that shows up may not have the ability of some lifesaving care,” he said.
Resident Tonia Grisham said she is “not happy” about the change.
“It’s just a safety precaution. There are a lot of elderly people in the community,” she said.
NFD said the paramedics are being moved to outlying suburban areas in an effort to decrease response times. The department added that the decision was made in part because of an increase in ambulances on the road.