Aldermen Call For Investigation Into Apparent Ambulance Shortage
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A CBS 2 and Better Government Association investigation is getting results as alderman are calling for an investigation and hearings into potentially life threatening ambulance shortages in the city of Chicago.
CBS 2's Pam Zekman was there Wednesday when aldermen took action and reports the aldermen also want the Office of Emergency Management agency to come up with a plan to correct what they described as an "apparent breach of public safety."
As we disclosed, all too often ambulance response times are far beyond the six minute state standard. For example, 16 minutes to get an ambulance to the Loop for a woman suffering from bone crushing injures after being hit by a mail truck.
"We are requesting a hearing on some of the breaches that you and CBS with the Better Government Association have pointed out to us," said 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti.
Wednesday, Fioretti and 36th Ward Alderman Nick Sposato, who is also a fireman familiar with the problem, introduced an order saying "in light of the CBS and BGA investigation the city has a duty to fix the apparent shortage."
"Everybody knows what we need, I mean it's a study to tell me what we already know. We need more ALS ambulances on the street," said Sposato.
So what toes the mayor think about all this?
"Since your report, the fire department has conducted an internal or is conducting an internal review to look at that material and that's what they are doing," said Emanuel.
The Fire Commissioner has previously said he does not think more ambulances are needed but current resources may be reallocated.
