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Richmond Heights fire chief reports rise in calls; highlights community paramedic and safety programs
Summary
Fire Chief Mark Newman told the Richmond Heights City Council on May 13 the department has responded to 1,064 calls for service through April 30 and that EMS calls make up about three-quarters of the workload.
Fire Chief Mark Newman told the Richmond Heights City Council on May 13 that the fire department has been busier this year, responding to 1,064 calls for service as of April 30. "We're about 19.8% or 20% over last year in 2024," Newman said, and described an average of about nine calls per 24-hour shift.
Newman said emergency medical service calls accounted for roughly 74% to 75% of the department's workload, with 788 EMS calls cited. He credited the city's community-paramedic program and specifically Community Paramedic Nicole Wirbel with part of the reduction in EMS growth and with outreach efforts. "Nicole is also a firefighter, and she, does a lot of outreach, in our community," Newman said.
The department marked Home Fire Sprinkler Week (May 11–17) and reported a $700 stipend from the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition to buy promotional materials and a virtual-reality headset to demonstrate the difference in fires with and without sprinklers. Newman said the VR headset will also be used in CPR and advanced cardiac-life-support training for firefighters.
Newman described community programs coordinated with University Hospitals and other partners: a blood drive set for Monday, June 16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the community center and a HeartSaver CPR class on Wednesday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to noon. Newman said the CPR classes are free to residents and that the city alternates morning and evening offerings to maximize access.
Mayor Kim Thomas and other council members praised Wirbel's outreach during the meeting; Thomas noted Wirbel's home visits and coordination for residents with mobility needs. The chief closed by inviting questions; the items were reported for council information and no formal vote was requested or taken.
Ending: The department emphasized outreach and training to reduce emergency demand and increase prevention; scheduled community events and training were announced for June.
