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Comment by stefantalpalaru | Hacker News Reader

How about a HazMat team? Imagine a scenario where the EMTs cannot gain access to the emergency scene because there are toxic substances in their way. You can't rely on the incoming 911 calls to decide on a case by case basis so you might as well send a HazMat team alongside the ambulance and firetruck for each and every call.

And what about an anti-terrorist unit? Imagine a scenario where...

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If those were as common as fires and doors being deadbolted closed with child 911 callers, we might do it. You act as if the scenarios outlined by the parent are as rare as biohazard emergencies.

>as common as fires and doors being deadbolted closed with child 911 callers

Are there any statistics on the number of cases on which a firetruck was really needed?

Fire trucks do more then put out fires by the way. People seem to forget that a lot. They also have car tools, ladders, and other stuff.

a fire truck costs $250000. for the truck. If you don't need a 150 foot ladder and 1000 gallons of water, then a tool-truck like many contractors have would probably do for much less cost.

In San Francisco, people have been trying to get stats on how many times the fire trucks are sent on medical emergencies ("unresponsive man on the sidewalk"). The SFFD has resisted all attempts at such inquiry. I often see big fire trucks responding for homeless people, and it seems like such a waste. But their union is too powerful.

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