Orchard Park Hits 1000

The Orchard Park Fire Company hit it's 1000th call for year today. It's been a busy year so far. Spring started with a record setting 181 calls for the month of May, and hasn't slowed down since. "Part of this is contributed to all of the assisted living centers and medical offices located in our coverage area, and the 100% transport policy by our ambulances" says OP 1st Assistant Chief Chris Couell. "2009 totals for the year were under 1300, we will obviously be well above that this year". Although the work load has increased, it's been easier than in the past. With the OPEMS in service, it eliminates a lot of hospital transportation time for the firefighters. Hillcrest and Windom have also seen an increase this year in calls because of the District using their own ambulances for all transports. In the recent past Rural Metro did most of the transporting for the District. Now that the paid EMS system is in place, mutual aid from in-town companies is more frequent to bring in the next available ambulance. The firefighters still respond to the scene with the ambulance and meet the medic fly cars. The most appropriate crew will then transport the patient, and the rest of the crew is put back in service.

On a side note, Orchard Park Fire District just put all new airpacks in service for all three companies. They went with a complete overhaul to the new Scott Pack Tracker system.