Why do fire trucks always follow ambulances out to various locations?

Question

I can understand ambulances being at the scene of fires and such but it always seems that wherever an ambulance goes the fire truck has to be there too. I never understood that. Is it really necessary to have a fire truck there when someone has a heart attack? I'm being 100% genuine. No phony answers.

Answer 1

Hi John!

That's a fair question. I think there may be many reasons depending on where you live.

First, the responding ambulance can sometimes be from a private service. Often, the local fire dept. will have qualified EMT and paramedics available to respond, but may not necessarily have an ambulance handy, so they respond in the fire truck while a private ambulance service is called.

Also, depending on the nature of the call, sometimes it's a good idea to have a few extra sets of hands available. Not everyone may be needed to go on to the hospital in the squad so it makes sense that the "extra help" would return to the station in the fire truck.

The nature of the call might deem necessary to have both vehicles respond due the equipment on the vehicles. Let's just say, for example, the call was for someone overcome by fumes or carbon monoxide. Obviously, the ambulance is needed to transport the patient, the fire truck will have testing equipment, exhaust blowers, etc. Someone else mentioned MVA's (Motor Vehicle Accident) as another reason, as the jaws, saws, and spill control equipment is going to be on the fire truck.

And yes, sometimes, the extra vehicle is just that, extra! It may have not been needed at all, but was dispatched just in case.

I hope that helps answer your question.

Answer 2

Most fire departments have incorporated local EMS services into their department. Most firefighters now must be certified paramedics or EMTs. It could be a staffing issue.

If it is an automobile accident, there is always the possibility of spilled fuel; ambulances don't have the capability to clean that up but fire trucks do.

Answer 3

yes, any time a call is made to the paramedics weather its a fire or a heart attack the fire truck must always follow its part of there procedure on doesn't leave without the other.
If ever i had to call on someone for help i would call the fire department, every one on the squad is somehow trained in first aid and can help out with any situation.. i have plenty of friends who are firemen and paramedics.....

Answer 4

I think fire officers or fireries (Australia) have the specialist knowledge of cutting people free from vehicle accidents, handling of potential fuel erruption, in vehicle accidents and pretty much the kind of stuff that frees up ambos (ambulance officers) or the paramedics to get in and do their bit with the medical side of things. Why fire trucks would be sent to an emergency medical call is beyond me, unless it involves the above????........ Maybe go beyond Y/Who answers and ask the the question in your own district.

Answer 5

well i saw a fire engine follow an ambulance to a nieghbours house..turn out they had the lift the person up using a hauling device..he was about 500 pounds or so...maybe theres reasons other than that..like someone could be in a predicament that only the fire rescue folk could solve...but the medics need to be there for medical attention..

Answer 6

fire trucks carry different equipment than ambulances, and sometimes the ambulance attendants need help .Most firemen are trained very well in emergency proceedures. besides, sometimes they help handle crowd control at accidents.

Answer 7

Where I live they are required to accompany one another by law.