Keep Paramedics in Vans, Not Trucks

The spectacular rescue on the morning of Dec. 4, executed by Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley fire departments, again points out the validity of having paramedics assigned to vans as opposed to engines (“Paraplegic Rescued from Fire,” Dec. 5). This is the fourth citizen this year saved from a fire in which the rescue was spearheaded by the paramedics.

While the spotlight is currently on the paramedics, it must be pointed out that these rescues are not the random act of one individual. They are the combined effort of the whole fire attack team. Fortunately, because of the organizational structure of the Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley fire departments, the paramedics are assigned to vans and not engines. This allows the paramedics to, as a team, execute a rescue and transport the patient to a hospital immediately.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that because of the budget problem in Huntington Beach, the city administrative staff is proposing to eliminate the paramedic vans and place the medics on existing fire engines. This is a great disservice to the citizens of Huntington Beach because this will increase response times, reduce backup, leave large areas of the city unprotected and, most of all, will eliminate the current proven and effective fire rescue method, which utilizes the paramedics and their van.

CURT CAMPBELL, President, Huntington Beach Firefighters Assn.