When Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief David Coatney rode out on an ambulance for a shift in southern Dallas on the night of New Year's Eve, his paramedics responded to a hectic 10 calls in 12 hours.
"I thought that was an anomaly because of New Year's Eve," Coatney said. "But then when I pulled the data, I found that was a normal shift for them."
It's too normal for too many paramedics, Coatney said. He told members of the City Council's public safety committee on Monday that the rescue side of Dallas Fire-Rescue is under a "substantial strain" and needs more resources in the years ahead.