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Wash. fire department cuts last medical rescue unit

City will soon be without firefighter paramedic crew

FOX 12

VANCOUVER, Wash. — Budget shortfalls have forced Vancouver’s fire chief to eliminate the city’s last firefighter paramedic crew.

The cut, a result of the city’s $6 million deficit, could double response time to medical calls for the city’s busiest fire station, according to a firefighter paramedic.

“You’re either going to be waiting for service if you have a fire, or you’re going to be waiting for service if you have a medical problem,” Mike Phillips said.

Full story: Unit could be out of service as soon as next week