SPECIAL REPORT: Yuma Fire Department stretches to meet demands
Andrea Turisk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Fire Department (YFD) says they’re responding to more emergency calls now then ever before, but with limited resources, keeping up with this demand has been an ongoing challenge.
Firefighters say they’re doing everything they can, but they need support.
This year, YFD broke records for emergency calls. 441 in a single week. Thats about 100 more than their weekly average.
YFD Public Information Officer David Padilla says, “What we’ve seen in previous years as kind of the base is now becoming the new norm for us.”
Padilla says Yuma is seeing large population growth, especially on the east side, which had affected the departments ability to respond to calls.
“The community has outgrown the our fire department, and its time for the fire department to catch up,” Padilla shared.
The growing demand is especially visible in emergency medical services. YFD EMS Division Chief Daniel Espino says crews are working overtime to keep units in service.
“We’re running two units right now on overtime. Medic 7 is running overtime 24 hours a day, and we’ve up-staffed a day car that’s also running from 9 to 5…also with overtime,” Chief Espino said.
And while no one is forced to work extra hours, the department relys on dedication and volunteerism to fill in the gaps.
“It’s voluntary, no one’s made to work overtime. So I think its really good that we’ve got good guys that are electing to pick up the shifts on their days off,” Espino explained.
The workload is not only intense. It’s personal. John Dunbar, Chapter President of the United Yuma Fire Association says for many firefighters its about doing more, with less.
“We’ve seen a large increase in call volume which puts more strain both physically and mentally on our members, but staffing levels haven’t changed,” Dunbar spoke. “Whether it’s an EMS call and you’re running a cardiac arrest with two or three people instead of the recommended five or six, we’re going to do it. It just puts more strain on our members.”
Dunbar says the extended shifts and rising call loads are becoming stressful: “The increased workload, overtime, extended shifts, working 3 to 4 days in a row, that takes a toll.”
Still, the department is pushing forward. Padilla says they’re actively looking at how to position the resources they do have: “We are currently undergoing some adjustments to be able to better serve out community. The Yuma Fire Department is always looking to allocate resources the best way we can across the city.”
With recruitment coming soon, YFD says anyone can apply with training provided for those who qualify.
“We allow anybody to apply as long as your the minimum age and have a drivers license and then we will put you through all the training to become a firefighter EMT and work for the Yuma Fire Department” Padilla remarked.
While challenges continue firefighters say their mission hasn’t changed, and neither has their commitment to the community
“Rest assured the united yuma firefighters is 100% willing to, and were able to work with both the city and fire administration to come up with real solutions,” says Dunbar.
YFD says they’ll continue to push for additional funding and staff, but until changes are made firefighters will continue to feel strain and emergency response times could be affected.