Comparing ambulance volumes before and after Uber became available in each city, they got their answer: Ambulance usage rate decreased at least 7 percent.

The researchers believe the data in their research paper, released Wednesday, is the first in the country that until now has only been addressed in anecdotes about the trend.

More importantly, they say, the conclusions fit into a broader conversation about health care costs in the country.

In fact, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Alert as of this morning, Dec. 11, 2017, alerting people to be abundantly cautious with any possible fire they may be starting. That alert means atmospheric conditions are favorable to causing a fire to go out of control. Those conditions include dry weather, plenty of fuel (such as dead leaves and dry brush), a lack of humidity and strong, gusty winds. Kambarian said those conditions would be in abundance Monday, and possibly for the duration of this week. That brush truck is the Godfrey Fire Protection District's best asset against rural brush fires. Many places under its protection do not have easy access to fire hydrants, so the Godfrey Fire Protection District dispatches one of its brush trucks to respond. The brush truck is a four-wheel-drive off-road machine roughly the same size and shape of a run-of-the-mill pickup truck. The main difference between it and the commercial variety is Godfrey Fire Protection District's brush truck carries about 300 gallons of water.