Article highlights changing trend in fire service as responses for EMS continue to grow

Excerpts from MySuburbanLife.com:

Chief Tony Huemann of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District has always dreamed of rushing into a burning building. While his long career has given him plenty of chances to do just that, advancements in fire safety and an increased need for medical care have made those moments far less common.

The role of a firefighter is evolving. Over the years, the job has shifted more toward emergency medical services than actual firefighting. According to Huemann, anyone applying for a firefighter position today must already be a certified paramedic, and many now hold higher education degrees than in the past. He also notes that firefighters are now required to undergo more frequent training—despite using those skills less often than before.

In the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District, EMS calls have consistently outpaced fire responses since at least 2001. In that year, medical calls accounted for 53% of all responses, while by 2012, that number had risen to 68%. Fire-related calls dropped from 47% to 32% over the same period.

In Crystal Lake, where fire and EMS services were combined in 1980, EMS calls nearly doubled between 2000 and last year. Meanwhile, fire calls fell sharply—from 169 in 2003 to just 56 in 2014.

Nationally, the trend mirrors local data. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire calls decreased by 58.5% between 1980 and 2013, while emergency medical calls surged by 323% during the same time. Kenneth Willette, manager of the association’s public fire protection division, says the drop in fire calls reflects improved fire safety across the country. “We’re seeing the impact of modern fire codes in commercial and industrial buildings, which require better fire detection and suppression systems,” he explained. “These changes have made our communities much safer.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also highlights the growing demand for emergency medical services, particularly due to the aging population. It predicts a 7% increase in firefighter employment between 2012 and 2022, as older adults tend to use more emergency medical services.

Woodstock Fire Chief Ralph Webster acknowledges the shift and says officials are exploring ways to reallocate resources. “We’re currently discussing how to better prepare for the increasing number of medical calls,” he said. “Our job has changed, and we need to adapt accordingly.”

This transformation in the fire service reflects a broader societal change—where the focus is shifting from fighting fires to saving lives through advanced medical care. As the demands on first responders continue to evolve, so too must the way they train, operate, and serve their communities.

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