Baltimore downgrades medic units, raising alarm over emergency response

In Baltimore, the fire department is set to downgrade four Advanced Life Support (ALS) medic units to Basic Life Support (BLS) starting in July 2025. The decision, made in response to staffing issues, has raised concerns among the IAFF Local 734 union, led by President Matthew Coster. The union warns that this change may negatively affect emergency responses, particularly during critical situations like cardiac arrests where immediate advanced care is necessary. Coster emphasized that every second matters in emergencies and the reduction in ALS units could lead to longer response times for patients in need of urgent medical assistance. In Annapolis, a similar situation is unfolding as the city’s fire department is deemed dangerously understaffed. Following a medical emergency involving midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, which required all four medical units to respond, the union's president Joe Pilat pointed out that the department lacks the necessary staffing to adequately cover the city. Discussions on funding for additional medic units have been ongoing, but Pilat reports that the existing funding enhancements do not cover the essential staffing requirements necessary to deploy another unit, as mandated by NFPA recommendations. The Annapolis Fire Department's funding situation has declined to the point where emergency responses are compromised due to a lack of available personnel. Pilat stated that during numerous incidents, they rely on mutual aid from surrounding areas to provide backup, which delays the response time significantly during critical situations. The union's push for increased funding highlights a pressing challenge within the city government’s budget, which must balance many critical needs across departments while maintaining a high standard of public safety. Both unions highlight the urgent need for city officials in Baltimore and Annapolis to recognize and allocate necessary resources towards adequate staffing and funding for fire departments. As emergency responses become ever more crucial, the repercussions of underfunding and understaffing grow prominent, posing risks to the communities they serve. With growing calls for action, leaders hope to address these challenges through improved funding policies and public recognition of their distressing situations.