By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• An Illinois fire department reported increases in response times and crew fatigue after adding a fourth ambulance to its daily rotation.
• Officials said staffing and deployment challenges contributed to the extended response intervals.
• Firefighters and medics cited longer shifts and limited rest between runs as factors in fatigue.
• The department is evaluating adjustments to schedules and staffing to address performance concerns.
ILLINOIS — Fire department leaders in an Illinois community reported a noticeable rise in emergency response times and concerns about crew fatigue following the implementation of a fourth daily ambulance unit.
City of Anderson/Facebook
Officials said the change was intended to expand emergency medical services coverage, but the department has tracked increases in the time it takes for units to arrive on scene for certain calls. Analysis by leadership attributed the delays to staffing constraints and the repositioning of resources to support the additional ambulance.
Personnel from both fire and EMS divisions reported that longer shifts and limited recovery time between calls have contributed to increased fatigue among crews. Command staff said fatigue management and personnel wellness are priorities as the department continues to monitor operational metrics.
The fire chief said the department is reviewing potential adjustments to duty schedules, staffing levels and deployment practices to balance service expansion with response performance and crew well-being.