On Wednesday, Jan. 1, the Moline Fire Department will begin adding a half dozen new firefighters and paramedics to its team. The unprecedented move also represents the first major staff increase for the department in four decades.
The addition also creates “the capability to staff a third ambulance, a vital enhancement to better serve the Moline community,” according to a recent MFD news release.
“As fire chief, my top priority is the safety and well-being of our community and our firefighters. Adding six additional firefighters to staff a full-time third ambulance is not just a necessity; it’s a commitment to the people of Moline,” Fire Chief Steve Regenwether said in the release.
“With over 90% of our 9,100 annual calls being EMS-related, ensuring prompt emergency response can be the difference between life and death for our citizens. At the same time, this addition will alleviate the strain on our current firefighters, improving their safety and morale,” he added. “This investment reflects our dedication to providing the highest level of care and protection to both our community and our firefighters.”
Reduced response times
Because of the heavy volume of emergency calls annually, the release said, the addition of an ambulance will significantly reduce response times, improve service and ease the workload on our hardworking personnel. “This improvement also aims to bolster morale among our dedicated team, who tirelessly work to ensure the safety and well-being of Moline residents,” the department said.
With the expanded resources, the department and the firefighters and first responders located at the city’s four fire stations also can look forward to providing even better service to Moline residents in the coming year, the release said.
The Moline Fire Department is dedicated to safeguarding the community‘s health and safety and its nearly 9,100 emergency calls each year include fires, medical emergencies and rescues.
In addition, the department engages thousands of residents through fire prevention and safety education.
