Q&A
Factors contributing to increased emergency call volume
0:45:51
·
44 sec
Council Member Brewer asks Chief Fields about the reasons behind the record increase in emergency call volume. Fields shares his perspective on the issue.
- Chief Fields believes public education is needed regarding appropriate use of emergency services
- Many people are using emergency rooms as doctor's offices and ambulances as transportation to ERs
- The increase in call volume is attributed more to misuse of services rather than an increase in actual emergencies
Gale Brewer
0:45:51
Okay.
0:45:52
That that sounds like it will help quite a bit.
0:45:54
We'll see.
0:45:54
The other question I have is, again, looking at this list, Why do you think the record call volume is up so much?
0:46:01
Is there I mean, you're on the street so you have an idea more than we do?
Michael Fields
0:46:06
I believe my personal opinion is that the public needs to be needs to be educated.
0:46:13
They are utilizing the emergency room as their doctor's office, and they're utilizing the ambulances as the ride to the emergency room.
0:46:23
So, you know, that has increased over the years.
Gale Brewer
0:46:26
So it's not that there's another level of emergencies.
0:46:29
It's lack of education about what an emergency is.
Michael Fields
0:46:34
Okay.
