Q & A
Why do both a fire truck and an ambulance always show up for a medical emergency?
When a 911 call comes into our dispatch center, they frequently are not provided precise and accurate information about the emergency. At times, the best information may be an "unknown medical." Other times what is dispatched as a "man down" may turn out to be a heart attack. As such, the dispatch is based on a worst-case scenario. To ensure the highest level of care the fire department sends the closest unit (currently staffed with 3 personnel) and Guardian Medical Transport sends the closest unit (staffed with 2 personnel). The fire department tries to staff each unit, they do not mandate it, with one Paramedic and the remainder of the unit's personnel is EMT-Basics. It is important to recognize no medical call is "routine." Certain actions are necessary on most calls including; assessing the patient, obtaining vital signs including blood glucose monitoring, providing oxygen therapy and patient movement. In many cases additional procedures are needed including; intravenous access, drug administration, cardiac monitoring, protection of patient's spine, restraint of patient, etc.... To accomplish these tasks takes people!
We have no way of knowing what is needed on each call, or what we will encounter. We work in a "What If" and "All Risk" business. Responding to the unknown is Public Safety.
Why do fire fighters go to the grocery store together on a fire truck while on duty?
We are in a "ready to respond" mode 24-7, regardless of location. Our fire engine is both our office and our tool shop. We function as a crew and as such are together to handle emergencies. Each crewmember has a role or a function on a particular type of incident, whether fire, EMS, special operations, etc.... We do not have formal "breaks" or times that we are unable to respond to 911 calls. The fire department sends the closest available unit to any emergency. The fire engines are multi-purpose and carry a wide variety of equipment needed to respond to a wide variety of emergencies. We are never far away from our engine or from each other. We are always ready to respond! We spend 48 hours together per shift. We do eat breakfast, lunch and dinner together. When picking up groceries, we are still available for emergency calls.
Why do firefighters respond to "drunks"?
Alcoholism/public intoxicants represent a fair percentage of the calls we run. Problem is, we do not know really what type of problem they may have. Many times a "routine" call for a man down/intoxicated person turns out to be much more serious. Some intoxicants are simply that, intoxicated and they pass out, usually in a public area where somebody calls 911 because they are concerned. However along with being intoxicated comes a whole host of additional complications. Many stumble into traffic and are hit by cars, trains or are assaulted. This can result in a medical condition called a "Sub-Dural" bleed. Because of their condition and the disease process of alcoholism, their brain can develop these "bleeds" that are often fatal. Sometimes they are victims of crimes, assaults, or rape. Other times they simply fall, hit their head causing head injuries. Not only are they unhealthy because of their lifestyle, the trauma they are involved with causes many more complicated problems. Each year, Flagstaff Fire Fighters respond to "transients" who succumb to the environment due to exposure (freezing to death) or from the disease process of drinking. It is also common to run on intoxicants that have passed out, vomited and aspirated vomit into the lungs. This can lead to seizures and death. These are very sick and injured people who deserve to be protected from themselves. This issue is bigger than your local fire department or the Flagstaff Fire Fighters. It is a community wide problem with no foreseeable solution. Flagstaff Fire Fighters are dedicated to not judging who deserves treatment and who does not. Flagstaff Fire Fighters will continue to treat each person we come in contact with as a family member.
Why are the fire engines left running on calls?
Today's engines are very advanced compared to years past. If the engine is being used for firefighting operations, power from the motor is needed to run the pump to distribute water. The inside temperature of the fire engine also requires a climate controlled area. This is because we carry several different types of medications we may give to a patient during a medical emergency. These medications and fluids require a certain temperature to be effective. During emergencies, lighting plays a key role. The power needed to run lights and emergency flashers draw a significant amount of energy to run. When the engines are in the fire station, they are always plugged in to a "shore line" that keeps the batteries charged, the engine warm and operating properly so that it is ready to go without warming up.
What do firefighters do during the day when not on emergency calls?
When each firefighter arrives at the station for their shift their first priority is to check their truck and personal protective equipment and getting ready for the next emergency call. This involves going over the engine, putting their equipment on the truck and ensuring all equipment is in a ready state. Although we do not fix major mechanical problems with the fire engines often we are able to complete minor repairs on the engines. Next, we have a video conference call with all the stations and the Battalion Chief. This is used to coordinate activities of the day to try and insure the best possible response coverage considering our limited resources. We also use this time to catch up on recent changes or significant events the department is dealing with. The day's planning and training is also addressed to ensure crews are meeting their training requirements. Each station company is required to complete at least 2 hours of specific training each shift. The morning is when we also address "house work." Flagstaff Fire Fighters live at the station for 48 hours. This becomes a second home. Like everyone else, we have housework we complete including; sweeping, mopping, trash disposal, dusting, washing linens, windows and of course washing and cleaning the fire truck. We take ownership in our stations and get the job done. This includes everything from putting up shelves, painting or landscaping around the station. Many times we also complete station tours with the public or are requested to speak at special events. We call these "public contacts". These talks cover everything from babysitting safety, exit drills in the home, wildfire safety to using a fire extinguisher. We also strive to complete required one hour of physical training each day. The fire department recently developed a "fitness for duty" policy that all Flagstaff Fire Fighters must meet to maintain employment. We undergo a battery of exams including' physical exams, fitness assessments, physical agility testing and blood work to insure we are in peak condition to protect the community. Station companies also inspect every business in the city on a rotating schedule. We enforce the fire code and address any life hazards found. During portions of the year Flagstaff Fire Fighters also inspect and test every fire hydrant in the city. Many times we find hydrants that do not operate properly which could result in a delay getting water to crews on fire scenes. We also test all the fire hose on the trucks each year to insure they will not fail during an actual event. Our main focus of our day...be ready to respond to 911 calls! Every event, no matter how big or small we respond to has a documentation process. This involves a computer report on activities completed or documenting information pertaining to the call. Most reports/documentation takes 15-30 minutes to complete. A Flagstaff Fire Fighter can spend between 2-6 hours a day with report and activities documentation.
What do fire fighters do at night?
Roughly from 8am to 5pm we are performing; station and equipment maintenance, training, conducting fire prevention activities, public education presentation, working on program assignments and responding to 911 calls. After 5pm, we return to the station but our day is by no means over. We do not have a "down or stand down time". We are in a ready response mode at all times-day and night. Some crew members may call home to family during evening hours; some may do additional physical training or catch up on reports from the day. Activities such as housework, maintenance may be pushed to these off hours as they still must be done. Additionally crew members may self-study for medical, fire, hazardous materials, rope rescue events or promotional test preparation. Others may be completing college level courses in their degree program. At different times of the year, we are required to complete "night drills". This involves multiple companies running through training at a given location in evening hours. We conduct these and other trainings at odd hours to keep ourselves adjusted to all conditions. Daylight hours, night, snow, rain or a beautiful day, the one rule to follow is: Emergencies know no time. 911 calls do not stop at night or during a snowstorm. Some station crews run more calls at night than others. There is no way of knowing who or where the next 911 call may come from. Crews may not get to bed on busy nights. After the crew returns from the station, the engine needs to be re-stocked, reports need to be completed and the next call can come in at any moment.
