Why is a firetruck sent with an ambulance if there isn't a fire? My neighbor hurt herself (don't know exact details) and she needed an ambulance. A firetruck and squad were also sent. Why the need for a firetruck if there isn't a fire?
2007-03-05 09:04:33 · 11 answers · asked by babykittycat44 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Fire departments send a fire truck to medical calls for two reasons. The first reason is, even in bigger cities the amount of fire calls do not justify having a full time fire operation with X number of firefighters and X number of fire stations and trucks. So fire departments will increase their call volume by responding to medical calls. Subsequently, fire departments use this to achieve a bigger budget and to justify their current staffing levels.
The second reason is public safety. In cities fire stations are spread out insuring a quick response to priority and secondary medical calls. If the ambulance service (whether or no the ambulance is private or public is irrelevant) is tied up on multiple calls the fire department can respond and try to stabilize the patient until the ambulance arrives for the transport. Most fire departments are also responsible for the extrication of all patients/victims; which is the safe removal of the patient/victim from their home, automobile, confined space etc.
Contrary to what some have said in this forum. Just because a fire truck arrives on scene doesn’t insure an EMT is on board. It depends on the department and their standard operating procedures, standard operating guidelines or polices and procedures (depending on how the department wants to word it). At the vary minimum a firefighter is a First Responder. A First Responder is just below the EMT level. Some departments require an EMT/Firefighter on every truck. Other departments only require their firefighters to be certified at the First Responder level. There are some fire departments that require every firefighter to be certified as an EMT. It depends on the department and what they deem is appropriate for their city or town.
2007-03-05 12:00:20 · answer #1 · answered by Fuzz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think any emergency vehicle in the area will respond- my neighbor fell and hurt herself a while ago, nothing serious, and she had an ambulance, three cop cars, and TWO firetrucks! I assume that the guys on the firetrucks might know some first aid, and CPR, so if they can get there first they might be able to help if needed!
2007-03-05 09:08:26 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly N 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In many places the fire department has firefighters who are first responders or EMTs, and they are dispatched along with an ambulance so they can begin care before the ambulance arrives. The firefighters are also usefull for helping with CPR, rescue, and moving heavy patients. The reason this is done in more and more areas is because of effective fire prevention education. There are fewer house fires these days so the firefighters need something to do.
2007-03-05 11:42:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All firetrucks have an EMT on board. When a call is sent for an ambulance, firetrucks also respond, and the first responder provides immediate aid.
It's simply a matter of making sure that lives are saved. Often a firetruck is closer than an ambulance.
2007-03-05 09:08:14 · answer #4 · answered by j3nny3lf 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because the fire department almost always arrives first. There is always at least 1 EMT fire fighter on a truck. So they can start rendering aid until the ambulance arrives.
Also if there is any type of extrication the fire department is in charge of this. Or if the person is real heavy they also help carry the patient to the ambulance.
2007-03-05 09:12:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In our city, Bellingham, WA, the Bellingham Fire Department also operates Medic One, which is our county's paramedic ambulance service.
When 911 is called, and it is determined that your call is life threatening, they dispatch the local station and a medic unit. Since there are only 4 for the city, calls are prioritized. The first on the scene can report to dispatch whether an ambulance is required immediately, at their current speed, or they can call the medics off.
All Bellingham firefighters are EMT (emergency medical technician) trained, and some of them are paramedics. (the difference is a college degree). I assume you are not in a rural area, so there's a good chance this is so for your city. Also, Medic One personal are also firefighters. We're all one big happy family.
I am a rural volunteer firefighter out in the county. About 80% of my calls are medical related, rather than fire related.
2007-03-05 10:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by Captain Moe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is precautionary measure, just in case one of the vehicles involved should be leaking fuel and cause a fire danger. If that happened, the fire truck might not be able to get to the scene in time to prevent someone from burning to death. Quick response can be crucial at a time like that.
2007-03-05 09:19:06 · answer #7 · answered by sissyd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a fire medic. in pinellas county fl.
fire dept. are first response in this area and the ambulance is more or less just transport
2007-03-05 09:14:20 · answer #8 · answered by kurtholzbacher 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firemen are also EMT's, sometimes they can get there quicker to help with a medical emergency. All are dispatched at the same time.
2007-03-05 09:08:34 · answer #9 · answered by lisa h 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I need an ambulance after seeing your avatar. My heart stopped. Any chance our avatars could get to know each other a little better? LOL
2007-03-05 09:16:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋