Looking at the stats, it seems like Detroit desperately needs more emergency medical service technicians (EMS) than firefighters. The proposed layoff of 164 firefighters this month, will undoubtedly have a negative impact on public safety until the Federal grant slated to fund the replacement most of the laid off firefighters comes through.
But according to the numbers provided in a statement from Detroit mayor Dave Bing, it looks like EMS is responding to more than five times the calls with only a quarter of the workforce.
Here are the statistics provided in the statement:
- Total Sworn Fire Fighters = 881
- Fire Suppression = Estimated 30,000 calls for service annually; with an estimated 9,500 false alarms
• Total EMS Technicians = 248
• EMS = Estimated 135,000 calls for service annually.
Since the city is in a pinch and has to make tough cuts to the scope of services, it seems many of the firefighting posts should be replaced with EMS technicians.