New Bend Fire vehicle freeing crews for emergencies
In less than a year of operation, the Bend Fire Department’s new ‘Support Response Vehicle’ is saving lives. It’s part of a new fleet of fire engines and ambulance response vehicles.
The SRV is equipped to respond to non life-threatening fire and medical calls, freeing up fire engines and paramedics to cover more serious emergencies.
Battalion chief Dave Howe said Tuesdasy it’s been a tremendous help.
“It’s like putting the right resource on the right call. So instead of having three people on a one person call — something one person can handle– put one person on it,” Howe said.
Seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., the SRV responds to everything from smoke alarm issues to people stuck in an elevator.
Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki drives the SRV during the week. He says it’s been an efficient tool for the entire department.
“False alarms, where an alarm system is malfunctioning, burning complaint — things like that, we can go out and rectify,” Derlacki said. “Figure out what caused it. Resolve the issue and keep everyone else available.”
On a ride-along, Derlacki showed NewsChannel 21 how the equipment inside the vehicle serves as its own dispatch center.
There’s a map to show other units around town, a direct link to calls and information the front desk receives, so any information Derlacki or another responder might need, everything can be done outside the station.
The SRV has medical equipment, a rope, life jacket, extra smoke alarms and a variety of gear.
And even though the SRV has been on Bend streets only since last May, officials say it’s making a big difference.
They handle 10 percent of all calls, which frees up fire engines or paramedics to handle more serious calls.
“The payback is, we got a 50 percent save-rate for cardiac arrest, where when I started, we had a four percent save-rate,” Howe said.
In addition to greater safety, it’s cost-effective.
“You’re taking a smaller vehicle that produces less wear and tear and uses less fuel,” Howe said.
