Unnecessary 911 calls taxing system

From left: Ryan Taylor, Jason Pike, Mark Lopez, and Patrick Hanrahan of the L.A. County Fire Department assess patient Keith Marks, who called 911 with gout pain from the lobby of Martin Luther King Jr. urgent-care center, across the street from L.A. County Fire Station 41, which serves Watts, Willowbrook and Compton.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

LA county firefighter-paramedics and private ambulance company emergency medical technicians transport Austin Kim to St. Francis Medical Center’s emergency room after he reportedly had a seizure while driving on the 105 Freeway and rear-ended another motorist.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County firefighter specialist/paramedic Ken Maddams drives Engine 41 back to the station after assessing patient Keith Marks, who called 911 with gout pain from the lobby of Martin Luther King Jr. urgent-care center in Willowbrook.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Willie Pittman is assessed by a private ambulance emergency medical technician, left, and L.A. County firefighter-paramedic Patrick Hanrahan, right, after dislocating his shoulder playing basketball. Pittman decided not to go to the hospital by ambulance, instead saying he would get a ride from his family.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles County firefighter-paramedic Ryan Taylor, 30, stocks Squad 41 with emergency supplies at LA County Station 41 in Willowbrook.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)