Letter: Firetrucks

Where’s the fire?? We’ve all experienced it: a little old lady stumbles in the grocery store, and the next thing we know, both paramedics and fireman are on the way, competing sirens blazing away seemingly in a race to the finish. We all have admiration and respect for the tough work they do, but I am puzzled why a large vehicle with 5-6 firefighters is needed in clearly defined and non-life-threatening medical situations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) just explained that fire stations are more numerous and closer to residential areas than ambulance bases, and that personnel can often get there more quickly and stabilize the patient for transport. Great. Why both? Maybe fire stations can dispatch help in a smaller emergency vehicle and the paramedics get there when they can. That would certainly save on the wear and tear of an expensive fire truck and make our streets (and parking lots) a little less chaotic. The real reason must be more politically complicated than this.