Have firefighting duties been expanded to include emergency medical assistance?

Firefighting duties have indeed expanded to include emergency medical assistance, which is a practice commonly adopted in many fire departments today. This evolution reflects the increasing need for immediate medical response in emergencies, as firefighters are often first responders at the scene of accidents, medical emergencies, and disasters.

Many fire departments have integrated emergency medical training into their firefighting curricula, allowing personnel to provide essential care such as CPR, advanced airway management, and the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). This training equips firefighters to manage a wide range of medical situations, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reinforcing the integral role firefighters play in community health and safety.

Thus, stating that firefighting duties have not expanded to include emergency medical assistance is incorrect, as this shift has become a standard expectation within the industry.