Study: Overwhelmed Philadelphia Medics Are Among Busiest In America
By Michelle Durham
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A study of the Philadelphia's medic units reveals they are incredibly busy. In fact, based on last year's numbers, two Kensington area based Medic units are the shaping up to be the busiest in the country.
Local 22 President Bill Gault believes Philadelphia operates the busiest EMS system in the country.
"Medic 7, at 21st and Market, did 7,200 runs. Medic 8 did 8,548 runs."
Both Medic 2 and Medic 8 are in Kensington. Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says people calling
9-1-1 that don't need too are at the root cause.
"When we find ourselves on calls something you really don't need a medical unit and you hear a call come in and it's for a real emergency, it really devastates those members."
Ayers says citizens need to start calling 3-1-1 for non emergency problems to gain access to free or low-cost City Health Services.
Gault says the medics are working as hard as they can.
"Right now, the whole system is just living on overtime. They are working more than anyone in the United States and there is going to be a breaking point."
