CSD fire officials propose first responder fee

Every day, fire agencies in Sacramento County are faced with medical and traumatic emergencies that threaten the lives of individuals and require medical treatment in the field and at a hospital.

These emergencies run the gamut from your neighbor mowing his lawn and experiencing chest pain, to a young soccer player suffering an asthma attack during a game. Responding to emergencies and treating patients has been occurring for hundreds of years; however, it was not until the late 1960s that the 911 system became our nationally recognized method for requesting help and paramedics brought advanced medical care to patients in the field.

The Cosumnes Fire Department (CSD) provides 24-hour, seven days a week, 365 days a year service to the cities of Elk Grove and Galt, and they protect more than 157 square miles of southern Sacramento County.

The CSD provides fire suppression, emergency medical care and transportation, rescue, hazardous materials, and fire prevention services to the 185,000-plus community members and to the countless visitors to the area. They respond to approximately 15,000 calls for service annually out of eight fire stations - six in Elk Grove and two in Galt. Station locations are determined based on response times and the ability of the department to get an adequate number of personnel and appropriate equipment to the scene in a timely manner.

Eight fire engines, carrying water, hose, and medical equipment, are staffed by three personnel; one fire truck, carrying ladders, rescue equipment, tools, and medical equipment, is staffed by four personnel; and six ambulances, staffed by two personnel each, provide advanced life support and transportation to patients throughout the jurisdiction.

The number of fire engines, fire trucks, and ambulances that are dispatched to an emergency incident is based on the type of emergency and the potential risk to the citizens and responders. For example, a reported structure fire will have four engines, two trucks, one ambulance, and two command officers (a minimum of 22 personnel) dispatched to the incident. Oftentimes, this is an inadequate number of personnel or equipment to safely rescue the occupants and extinguish the flames. On the other hand, a medical emergency in a residence will have one ambulance and one engine or truck (a total of five personnel) dispatched to the incident.

Why do we send a fire engine to a medical emergency?

Sending a fully equipped fire engine or fire truck to a medical emergency may seem excessive. A typical emergency medical response requires five personnel to effectively assess and treat the patient, move and prepare the patient for transportation, and transport the patient to the appropriate emergency facility. In order to get five personnel on scene, an ambulance plus an engine or truck are dispatched. In critical cases, personnel from the engine or truck travel with the ambulance personnel to the hospital to assist with patient care.

Fire departments are funded in a number of different ways; however, the primary source of funding is typically through taxes both property and sales. The Cosumnes Fire Department is an independent California special district; as such, it does not receive any sales tax revenue and is funded by both residential and commercial property taxes, and from voter-approved special taxes or assessments. Property tax revenue comprises approximately 72 percent of the departments budget revenue.

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CSD fire officials propose first responder fee