Fire Department Report: Demand Continues Growing in West Bloomfield

Demand for emergency medical and fire service in West Bloomfield Township has continued to grow through the third quarter of 2011, compared to the same period last year, according to the Fire Department's quarterly report.

Third-quarter growth, to the tune of 4.7 percent more than 2010's figures, continues the trend demonstrated in the first and second quarters this year, according to the report prepared by Fire Chief Jay Wiseman.

The report said year-to-date response demands are up 8.7 percent overall compared to 2010. Operational demands are trending at about 69 percent for EMS and 31 percent for fire service.

The department as a whole responded to 1,786 total alarms from July-September. EMS/Rescue accounted for 1,150 of those calls, with the majority coming from . That was the busiest station overall, responding to 572 alarms.

Other highlights of the report, dated Oct. 14, include:

• The hiring process is under way for two vacant entry-level positions within the department. Those hirings were dependent upon the passage of both
• Bedbug training was developed and provided to the entire department, dispatch and employees whose work takes them into dwellings. Bedbugs are a "new and growing reality" that EMS responds to, possibly, in part due to news from last September by myFOXDetroit.com of bedbugs being reported at the .
• Early research in what the department expects to be an extensive and ongoing project is under way with regard to the Fire Department seeking third-party accreditation for EMS service delivery. According to the report, the department expects changes in private and government insurance reimbursement programs, which may make such accreditation mandatory in order for the department to continue receiving financial aid.

The report will be presented at Monday's Township Board meeting at 7 p.m. in .