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Non-emergency ALF calls strain fire resources

LTC Liability Monitor, July 7, 2005

A strain on fire department resources in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, is due to a specific increase in visits/trips to assisted living facilities and senior housing complexes for non-emergency situations, according to the San Bernardino County Sun. Many situations are severe, such as heart attacks or physical injuries, but the fire district also responds to residents who have fallen out of bed or need help with wheelchairs.

Stephanie Rasmussen, an emergency medical services (EMS) administrator for the fire district, said that though many assisted living facilities have "vague regulations" when it comes to requiring EMS assistance, staff more often than not turn to 911 for assistance instead of helping residents themselves to avoid potential liability.

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