As the Los Angeles County Fire Department plans for its future, they are encouraging Santa Clarita residents to participate in a survey giving input on what they feel needs to be done, officials said Friday. 

With the number of medical emergencies on the rise and paramedic personnel staying relatively the same, along with aging equipment, the department is pushing for funding to increase resources and upgrade equipment throughout the County, said Maria Grycan, the community services liaison for division 3 of the department. 

“We are trying to hear from residents to see what is most important to them,” Grycan said. “The department is looking into the future, and is seeing what the community needs.” 

The vast majority of 9-1-1 calls received by L.A. County Fire are for medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes and car accidents, and the demand is raising the need for additional paramedics and paramedic squads, according to Fire officials. 

“Medical calls have gone up 50 percent, with staffing only going up 5 percent,” Grycan said. 

Another area of the department in need of upgrades is the communication system, according to Fire officials. 

L.A. County Fire’s communication system includes emergency response, lifesaving protection and rescue that dates back nearly three decades and is incompatible with wireless networks and other modern digital systems, officials said. 

Due to lack of funds, firefighters and paramedics are forced to use radios and communication equipment that is old, outdated and unreliable due to changing technology, according to Fire officials. 

Paramedics need to be able to communicate directly with emergency rooms and trauma centers to provide critical information when transporting patients — especially vulnerable people, like seniors or children. 

The department is also seeking funding to get a replacement for fire engines and medical rescue vehicles that are more than 20 years old and costly to repair and maintain. 

The L.A. County Fire Department is considering a local funding measure as a means of generating additional resources. The type and cost of a proposed measure are being evaluated, according to officials. 

A local funding measure would require local voter approval by residents served by L.A. County Fire. 

To participate in the survey, click here. 

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