The fire service's role in delivering EMS will continue to grow and expand over the next five to 10 years.

First, in 2008, Congress passed new reauthorization language for the U.S. Fire Administration that included EMS as part of its mission. Previously only fire and fire prevention were part of the USFA's mission. I fully expect the USFA over the next five to 10 years to expand its role in EMS.

Next, EMS call volume for fire departments will grow. The first baby boomer — who was born one second after midnight on Jan. 1, 1946 — has filed for social security benefits. Behind her come some 80-million-plus baby boomers who will be reaching their later years in life. The aging of our society will create a need for more medical care as a result of emergencies. That increase in emergencies means an increase in run volume for fire departments doing any form of EMS, including first response.

Technology will deeply impact how the fire service delivers EMS over the next several years. As technology and knowledge continue to grow exponentially in the medical sector — driven by advancements in equipment, drugs, treatment modalities, education, data collection and research — the fire service's abilities to deliver a higher level of care to patients will increase. All of this will lead to higher survivability rates for those suffering an acute medical emergency or trauma.

Finally, the fire service's role in EMS will continue to grow even more as fire events continue to be reduced through building-code compliance, fire prevention and education, and building construction. What will make an additional impact — not only in the next several years, but beyond — is the recent International Code Council's decision to uphold the placement of sprinklers in residences of new construction.

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Return to the 2010 Decade Forecast: Sighs of the Times main page.

Or jump to another 2010 Decade Forecast perspective:

• Cultural Barriers
  By Kelvin Cochran, U.S. Fire Administrator
• Booming Woes
  By Denis Onieal, Superintendent, National Fire Academy
• Emerging Economy
  By Rob Brown, Chief, Stafford County (Va.) Fire Department
• Volunteer Issues
  By Philip Stittleburg, Chief, LaFarge (Wis.) Fire Department, and Chairman, NVFC
• Apparatus Advances
  By Peter Darley, President, FAMA, and Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Darley Co.
• Expanded EMS
  By Gary Ludwig, Deputy Chief, Memphis (Tenn.) Fire Department, and Chairman, IAFC EMS Section
• Federal Deficits
  By Bill Webb, Executive Director, CFSI
• Safety First
  By Rob McLeod, Deputy Chief, Chandler (Ariz.) Fire Department, and Chairman, FDSOA
• Creative City Managers
  By Bill Wolpin, Associate Publisher/Editorial Director, American City & County magazine
• Renewed Hope
  By Meri-K Appy, President, Home Safety Council
• Budget Efficiencies
  By John R. Hill, President, Envizion Financial