Winston Fire Department Implements New Emergency Response Plan
The Winston-Salem Fire Department is implementing a plan they say will save time and money, by sending a squad car instead of a fire truck to answer health calls.
The pilot program to replace using fire trucks began two weeks ago, and has already responded to 99 medical calls.
“That’s 99 times a big truck got to stay and be available for a fire call,”
“This (squad car) unit is about $40,000; the fire truck is $400,000. This unit can be staffed with two people; the fire truck with four people,”
The squad car is equipped with the same medical equipment as a fire truck.
The department plans to add two more cars in 2008.
