Show All Answers

1. Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in a roof during a fire?

Firefighters ventilate smoke and superheated gases for safety and visibility. This allows firefighters to get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduces the chances of a possible back-draft explosion.

2. Why do firefighters block traffic lanes at motor vehicle accidents and more lanes than are necessary?

We block traffic lanes for the safety of our personnel and our patients. Blocking extra lanes keep our personnel safe when they go back to the apparatus to get more equipment and help protect the victims we are trying to stabilize.

3. Sometimes I see fire apparatus with lights and siren in operation proceeding through intersections and then after they go through they turn off their lights and slow down?

When several fire units are dispatched to the same incident, the first units that arrive may have assessed or "sized-up" the situation and determined it is under control and/or the Fire Department is no longer needed. All other responding units are subsequently cancelled and returned to service. Therefore, when you see an emergency vehicle proceeding lights and siren through an intersection and then slow down and turn off their lights, they have probably been cancelled from the call they were going on.

4. Why does my water turn brown when firefighters turn on fire hydrants?

The Department inspects fire hydrants for proper operation at least once every year. We turn the fire hydrants on to make sure they operate properly. The hydrants are turned on slowly so as not to stir up the sediment that is in the pipes, but at times the sediment does get stirred up and the water coming out of your faucet can be brown in color. Simply let the water run for several minutes and it will eventually clear.

5. Why do firefighters shop at the local grocery stores?

Firefighters are like everyone else. We need to eat. We work 24-hour shifts and must supply our own food. We combine our own money to purchase food for our meals.

6. Why are smoke detectors so important?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 3,000 people died from fires in 2008 with 84% of fatal fires happening in homes and other dwellings. Unless you see a fire start, you can only find out there is a fire if you're awake to smell the smoke. If you happen to be asleep, a smoke detector is probably the only way to save your life and the lives of everyone sleeping in your home. Smoke detectors are intended to sound an alarm when they sense smoke. Smoke rises so place the detectors near the ceiling or directly onto the ceiling. Make sure there is a smoke detector on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installation of smoke detectors.