Harm to First Responders

The effect on first responders provides a good illustration that the harm of high fuel prices may not always be obvious. Significant fuel price surges could lead police forces to adjust budgets and make cutbacks or reduce the driving of marked cruisers, lessening the police presence in communities. It could also lead police officers to avoid idling their cars in order to conserve on gasoline, which could limit the ability of officers to utilize equipment in their patrol cars like video and audio systems.

Based on interviews with first responders, we know that the fiscal effects can be significant for EMS providers in rural areas. In these regions, first responders travel greater distances and therefore utilize more gasoline. And for some areas where fuel budgets have recently been exhausted, first responders are attempting to handle as many calls as possible over the phone before deploying emergency services.

It cannot be overlooked then that higher prices impact strategy and methodology for first responders.

Conclusion

From the gas used for cars to the diesel used to operate farm equipment and transport goods across the country, the lives of Americans benefit tremendously through these fuels. And when prices surge to especially high levels, this inevitably causes significant harm, especially to the poorest Americans.

For policymakers, any response to high prices should be to remove the many government barriers that drive up fuel prices. At least then, prices would be a reflection of market forces and not government meddling that is causing unnecessary harm.