Emergency responders make record number of calls

McCOOK, Neb. -- The McCook Fire Department experienced record call volume this past year, exceeding 1,000 emergency calls for the first time in its history.

Emergency call volume increased by 19 percent from a year prior, according to city reports. In 2016 the City of McCook responded to 1,127 emergency calls for service; after responding to 946 in 2015; and 964 in 2014.

"This is the first time that the department has ever broken the 1,000 call barrier," said Fire Chief Marc Harpham earlier this week.

Harpham said there are a variety of factors impacting the call volume and indicated the number of calls might have been even higher, were it not for the new Community Paramedicine Program. The program contributed 58 new emergency calls to the 2016 total.

"When you subtract those, the increase was still a double digit 13 percent. When you figure in the number of calls that the Community Paramedicine program prevented, the numbers could have been even higher," said Chief Harpham.

The paramedicine program intends to lessen the burden on emergency personnel in rural areas by providing scheduled healthcare needs to a limited number of rural residents who lack access to primary care and regularly misuse 911 services for routine healthcare. The program is capped at a maximum of 10 patients per month, 120 a year, and there is no charge to the patient.

The McCook program was implemented in 2016 and is funded by the Community Hospital Health Foundation with partners Community Hospital, McCook Clinic and the City of McCook.

McCook's role as a retail hub for Southwest Nebraska is among other factors attributing to the call increase.

"This brings people into McCook that don't reside in McCook. They're here attending a variety of functions and activities that McCook has to offer. Even though they don't live here, there are times when they need assistance and have to utilize our fire and ambulance services. We also serve a variety of assisted living facilities and a nursing home that require emergency services as well," said Chief Harpham.

Despite the double-digit call increase and other obstacles, Chief Harpham said he is pleased with the level of service his staff was able to provide.

"We've been able to meet the challenges of a call increase and still provide top-notch services to our community. We were without the services of one full-time position for the majority of 2016. Tyler Neff was on an extended leave of absence serving in Afghanistan for the Wyoming National Guard. Our dedicated staff of professional volunteers, along with our full-time personnel have really stepped up to the plate and committed themselves to going the extra mile during Tyler's absence," he said.

Long-time firefighter Bob Allen also retired from the fire department and new firefighter/paramedic James Slaten joined the team in July. Neff returned from his military deployment in October to bring the department back to full staff, according to Harpham.

Emergency calls aren't the only task keeping local emergency responders busy. Each member of the department is required to attain a certain number of continuing education hours each year as well.

"Overall, with the addition of new staff, new programs, and a substantial increase in calls, we feel that 2016 was a very successful year and we're looking forward to 2017," said Chief Harpham.