The LMRFD ambulance is a Business So Run It Like One

There was a typical ambulance call in Meadview this morning about 8AM. Dispatch paged Rescue 415 the LMRFD ambulance. After several minutes Rescue 415 advised they were in route.

The caller in Meadview must have figured out nobody was at the Meadview station and the ambulance was coming from Dolan Springs because they canceled the ambulance and took the patient by car.

I understand because fire dispatchers refuse to give you an ETA on the ambulance, something firefighters and law enforcement do all the time. It's also something callers like in Meadview who call 911 need to know.

You should be given the ambulances ETA so you can decide if you want to wait 30-45 minutes for the ambulance or drive the patient to the hospital. You can get to kingman in about an hour, or wait 30-45 minutes for the ambulance and still have the hour drive to Kingman.

This is another example of running the ambulance like a service rather than a business and loosing thousands of dollars a day because they don't actively seek volunteers.

Each time the ambulance isn't available because of lack of manpower we the taxpayers loose $2500.

Each time the ambulance isn't available because of lack of manpower and AMR responds from Kingman we the taxpayers loose $2500.

This happens all the time... 5 times is $12,500... Just 5 times a month is $150,000 a year.....

The Good Old Days When the Fire Station was the Center of Small Communities

Today, most people have never had the need to call the fire department for a fire or EMS and most people don't personally know any firefighters.

The lack of good information many people have about their own fire departments is a big problem especially in underserved areas.

The LMRFD needs to reach out to the community, teach CPR. Teaching CPR/AED and first aid for free. Help people in this medically underserved area to learn skills to assist the firefighters.

People who participate in training at the local fire department usually come away with a greater appreciation of their firefighters and can become huge allies in future efforts to improve service

Explorer and volunteer programs are a great way to get teenagers, young adults, and even old folks involved in community service. These programs provide greater opportunities for local people to become involved with their fire department they're often great recruiting tools.

The fire station used to be where the guys hung out in small communities. Most were volunteer firefighters and others just friends who stopped by. The fire station doors were usually open and the firefighters friendly and inviting. The few times I've stopped by the fire station in Dolan when someone does crack the door open they look out like what do you want.