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In Fiscal Year 2006 the department's rescue units responded to more than 55,000 emergency 911 calls. These calls were a mix of trauma types of calls
(car accidents, falls, etc.) serious medical emergencies such as patients with difficulty breathing, heart attacks, and strokes, and structure fires. There
were also approximately 17, 000 calls for minor medical emergencies which were responded to by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue engine companies and Basic
Life Support (BLS) ambulances from the private services.
The department transported 32,000 patients to local hospitals in 2006. Hillsborough Fire Rescue does bill for advanced life support ambulance transportation.
The majority of these fees are paid by Medicare and insurance carriers.
The department is often asked why a fire engine responds to a medical emergency. There are multiple reasons for this. On medical emergencies the department
seeks to have a medical team on the scene as quickly as possible. Because there are more engine companies deployed throughout the county, the engine companies
are often able to get to the scene and begin patient care before the arrival of the rescue unit (ALS ambulance). This is why the department has upgraded
all career engine and ladder companies to the ALS paramedic level. Another reason engine companies respond is that patients with complex, critical medical
conditions require a number of personnel to complete the many objectives necessary to effectively treat and transport them. Automobile accidents may require
patient extrication and other activities that necessitate an engine company.
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