Detroit EMS and Fire Department Conflicts Emerge Amid Emergency Response Concerns
Amidst the chaos of a multi-vehicle crash on July 4, a discord between Detroit’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Department personnel unfolded, highlighting ongoing tensions over emergency medical response leadership. Paramedic Al Saade found himself at odds with a Fire Department Battalion Chief over triage procedures, despite state laws mandating that the highest licensed medical authority on scene should direct care.
Saade’s EMS supervisor, Captain Robert Calandro, was on site, yet the Battalion Chief attempted to override his instructions, leading to Saade’s disciplinary action for insubordination. Although the charges were dismissed, Saade voiced concerns about the Fire Department’s interference in medical incidents, fearing for future emergencies without EMS supervision intervention.
Long-standing Issues Between EMS and Fire Department
The consolidation of Detroit’s EMS division with the Fire division in 2021 has resulted in ongoing friction. Saade describes instances of Fire Department supervisors intervening in non-fire medical emergencies as a daily occurrence. In response to a new standard operating procedure (SOP) implemented by the Fire Department, EMS representatives sought arbitration, arguing that it compromised patient care. The arbitrator sided with EMS, acknowledging field disorder and negative impacts on patient care.
However, EMS staff assert that the situation remains unchanged, citing cases where paramedics were not dispatched to critical “Code 1” calls. “There’s literally no accountability,” Saade remarked, expressing concern for Detroit citizens bearing the brunt of the chaos.
- July 2023 saw a Fire Department supervisor fail to relay a paramedic’s command for CPR on a drowning victim, resulting in the victim’s death.
- In January 2026, firefighters broke into the wrong house during a medical emergency, bypassing EMS confirmation.
- Delayed responses to cardiac emergencies occurred in July and August 2026.
Broader Union Support Amidst Dispute
James Tignanelli, president of the Police Officers Association of Michigan, described the situation as unprecedented in his 30-year career. His association began representing the EMS union in January 2025 due to its lack of representation against the Fire Department. Tignanelli emphasized that the dispute is not a turf war but a question of whether Detroit residents receive adequate emergency medical response.
The EMS union claims over 5,000 instances since 2025 where Code 1 patients were treated by basic support units instead of Advanced Life Support units, which have paramedics equipped with life-saving medications. According to Tignanelli, while it is difficult to prove, it is likely that inadequate responses have affected patient outcomes.
Fire Department’s Standpoint on Allegations
Executive Fire Commissioner Charles Simms defended the department’s efforts, noting a reduction in Code 1 response times from nearly 20 minutes in 2014 to 7 1/2 minutes currently. Simms acknowledged a need for more paramedics, attributing it to a national shortage rather than deliberate withholding of advanced life support.
Despite ongoing disputes, the Fire Department is working to train more firefighters as paramedics and review deployment policies to ensure proper responses. Simms did not address supervisory interventions in medical decisions.
Rethinking Detroit’s Emergency Services
With structure fires in Detroit reduced by 50% since 2017, the Fire Department now faces over 160,000 annual medical emergency calls, stretching current resources. Supplemental ambulance services have been approved by the city council, though discussions continue on whether to invest in expanding the city’s EMS capabilities.
Al Saade, EMS union head, supports the idea of the Fire Department managing all city emergency medical calls internally. He advocates for a shift in priorities, emphasizing that EMS should not be treated as a secondary mission. “When you look at what this department actually does every day, sometimes you have to be willing to say the uncomfortable part out loud: This is really an EMS department that puts out the occasional fire.”
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