Emergency services are vital when executed correctly, but can pose significant risks when they falter. Our recent investigation into the CFD uncovered alarming delays in ambulance response times, which could jeopardize lives if left unaddressed. This issue demands urgent attention from Mayor Emanuel's administration to prevent potential tragedies.

In January, a tragic incident occurred when a postal truck struck a pedestrian near City Hall. Despite the proximity to multiple fire stations, it took 16 minutes for an ambulance to arrive—well over the mandated six-minute response time. Fortunately, the injured woman survived her severe injuries, including broken bones. However, another individual facing such delays might not be as fortunate.

Interestingly, last fall, the city’s Inspector General criticized the CFD for inflating its claims about meeting response-time benchmarks. Further investigation by the BGA and CBS2 revealed that the department lacks proper systems to monitor these crucial metrics effectively. Paramedics have expressed concerns about a shortage of fully equipped Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, leading to longer travel times and slower responses.

Strangely, despite these challenges, fire officials insist they cannot confirm or deny these issues because they fail to maintain consistent records of response times. Instead, they resort to vague statements like claiming there are "enough" ambulances while planning to acquire more, or stating response times are acceptable without providing verifiable data. Such evasive explanations are neither transparent nor reassuring.

This isn't the first time the CFD has faced scrutiny. Previous investigations exposed troubling incidents, such as a former fire commissioner receiving a questionable pension "sweetener," an ambulance breaking down while transporting a gunshot victim, paramedics taking a stabbing victim to the wrong hospital, and fire department vehicles carrying expired medications. These lapses underscore the need for accountability and reform.

To address these problems, we urge Mayor Emanuel’s team to collaborate directly with fire officials to tackle key issues head-on. Two critical questions must be answered immediately: Do Chicago’s streets have enough ALS ambulances, and are they responding promptly enough? Based on available evidence, the answers seem to point toward a resounding "no."

One potential solution could involve converting some Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, which handle less severe cases, into ALS units capable of managing trauma scenarios. This move could boost the fleet with an additional 15 trauma-ready vehicles, bringing much-needed relief. Paramedics support this idea, and the department seems open to exploring it, which is a positive step forward.

Another approach involves reallocating resources based on changing demographics. As Chicago's population evolves and fire-related fatalities continue to decline—2013 marked a historic low—perhaps it’s time to reconsider the balance between fire trucks and ambulances. Fewer fire engines might make sense if they free up resources for more essential medical transport.

Lastly, given today’s technology, it’s baffling that the CFD still struggles to systematically track ambulance dispatches and response times. Other major cities have mastered this practice, so why shouldn’t Chicago, a city often referred to as “world-class,” adopt similar measures?

Thanks for sharing, Dan!

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