I recently read Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, and Stephen J. Dubner, a writer for The New York Times and the New Yorker. The economist has a penchant for studying ordinary economic situations and the reporter has a knack for interpreting econ-speak, which together make for an interesting, easy-to-read book.

The book is a mathematician's dream, but some of the research has amazing impact on culture and economics.

Take the crime rate. Levitt cites a paper he published in 2001 showing a significant drop -- 40% -- in crime starting in the 1990s. While the state and local governments want to take credit for increasing the number of cops on the street to decrease the crime rate, Levitt cites another potential reason for the decrease in crime: Roe vs. Wade in 1976.

My personal views on abortion are separate from this editorial, but according to Levitt, a large percentage of women who seek abortions do so because they are very young, lack familial support or can't afford to raise a child. With a legal means of obtaining an abortion, the crime rates started to drop. Levitt and Dubner expand their research in the book.

Does the drop in crime correlate with a decrease in fire calls? It appears that Levitt hasn't studied the fire angle, but we do know that there is a significant decrease in fire calls and significant increase in EMS calls nationwide. Perhaps the lower crime rate, coupled with stronger public education, sprinklers and proactive juvenile fire-setter programs all have contributed to the decrease in fires. At the same time, changes in health insurance programs, a severe nursing shortage and an aging population have increased EMS calls.

Unfortunately, that increase in EMS calls doesn't have an increasing number of volunteers to handle them. In interviews with chiefs across the country, it's obvious that volunteers in the fire service are on a decline. People frequently respond that the problem is time: less time to volunteer and increased training time because of complicated rescues, hazmat and more EMS calls.

Sometimes we are affected by influences beyond our control and like it or not, we need to continue to move forward.

Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director
janet@firechief.com