Why do firetrucks and firefighters come to incidents that does not consist of fires?

Question

like a drowning accident or heart attack

Answer 1

First NOT all firefighters are EMT's. That said, Many are EMT's or at least trained as a first responder, and that is why we respond to medical calls. Fire departments across the country (Paid and volunteer) are tasked with pretty much everything no one else wants to do. Water rescue, HAZMAT, high angle rescue just to name a few, My department believe it or not gets called to downed trees across roads.(I think thats what they pay the department of transportation for) Snakes in houses we get those too. I actually was called once too get an old womans old dog out of the woods at 2 am!!!!! I told dispatch to call me back if the dog burst into flames, and send to a deputy.

Answer 2

They are trained and they also have the same medical equipment that the ambulance has. So if there is an emergency like a drowning they can pull the person out of the water and start the medical procedure that is deemed necessary. They also have heart monitors with them. Also they can be the lead for the ambulance when the sirens are going. With the seal they put on the cars now days the sirens can not be heard if you are in your car with the windows up. You will see a fire truck in your rear view mirror.

Answer 3

When you call 9-1-1 the first available emergency responder will come to the scene. This could be police, ambulance/ medic, or fire fighters. The majority of firefighters are also certified EMTs, the same ambulance personnel. When there is an emergency, responders are interested in saving a life, they are not concerned with whose job it is. When my daughter was 15 months old she fell down the stairs, was bleeding profusely from her head, and appeared to be having signs of shock. I called 9-1-1, and the police arrived within about 3 minutes. They began assessing my baby and by the time the ambulance arrived, police basically had the bleeding already under control.

Answer 4

Firefighters drive firetrucks first off...but firefighters are not only certified for fires but also they are EMT...Emergency Medical Tech. and paremedics. So they are required to be the first on the site. Because they aren't as busy as ambulance drivers or police officers.

Answer 5

They are trained EMT's and often there are required to be fire stations within 5 mins of any neighborhood. This is why ambulances are often stationed at fire houses. If ambulance contractors and/or hospitals and/or municipalities don't do this with ambulances, fire trucks are the only ones that can get there in time. Not to mention there are usually more fire engines than ambulances in the area, so they can get there faster anyway.

Answer 6

There are far fewer fires today than 30-40 years ago, mostly due to better fire codes (sprinklers, alarms, etc...)

Firefighters need to do something to beef up their call numbers, to keep the city council shoving the money their way. So they show up to every slight fender bender, even long after the PD showed up and saw that no one was injured.

Remember: "form follows finance"

Answer 7

Most firehouses have a rescue team that reside there. They are the paramedics and the people who know how to use rescue equipment...ie the jaws of life. The police, who will usually assist in a rescue but not conduct it, are mainly the law keepers. The firemen and paramedics are the ones who have ability to rescue someone or to save a life.

Answer 8

because they also have to help with car accident and have to get the person out of the car with the jaw of life.
the firefighters are also train in emt too.

Answer 9

Yes, they are all Emergency Medical Technicians. Ambulances can only carry so many of them, so they take the only other hot rod that has lights and a siren.

Answer 10

Because sometimes teh equipment can be used for rescuing people from dangerous situations.. the latters are very long. And also sometimes the paramedics ride on the fire trucks...