Friday, March 13, 2015

EMS calls increasing

As of midnight, Lincoln Fire & Rescue has responded to 3,988 medical emergencies so far this year. That's a 14% increase over the same time last year. I'll be watching this closely as the year unfolds, because it is part of a long-term trend of increasing EMS calls. The growing population of Lincoln is part of the explanation, but my guess is that baby boomers reaching the age where medical needs are greater is bending the curve a bit. There was an 18% increase in the number of citizens over the age of 65 in Lincoln from the 2000 census to the 2010 census--greater than the overall population increase.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Director,
As one of those aging baby boomers I can understand the increase in EMS calls. I took a tumble in my apartment the other day and I was just lucky to have a roommate that could help me up. If she wouldn't have been there I would have considered a 911 call.

It is hard for younger folks to understand the aging process. I didn't when I was younger myself. I had a dream the other night. I flashed back over fifty years to when I was in training to go to the state tournament. I had just popped off 100 pushups, 100 situps and climbed the thirty five foot rope and I wasn't even winded. Then I woke up!

What a comedown when I had to struggle just to get out of my bed to make it to the bathroom. Oh well at least I am still here and many of my contemporaries have moved on. So I want to thank all of you EMS personnel for the time in the future when I will be calling you.
Gun Nut

Anonymous said...

Would the increase in medical calls be related to the increase in mental health calls worked by LPD?

Tom Casady said...

1:29,

I imagine that a small part of it is related, because there is an overlap.