Another socially awkward question...

[PoorManQ45]

Why are firetrucks always sent on calls with ambulances?

Maybe this is just a local thing, but if you have a medical emergency and call 911 an ambulance and a firetruck come.

What is the reason for this? Our neighbor had to call 911 for a medical issue last week. An ambulance and a firetruck showed up. The ambulance first, then a couple minutes later the firetruck.

Can someone please explain the purpose of this?

Thank you

[TurboSauce]

I don't know how to answer that.I think it's because you never know what can happen.

[ADDirishboy]

It's usually as a precaution. Also, sometimes only a B level ambulance is available (EMT only, no medics) so they will also send a truck out that has a medic trained fireman who can also start IV's and give upper level medicine that an EMT can't give.

[PoorManQ45]

It's usually as a precaution. Also, sometimes only a B level ambulance is available (EMT only, no medics) so they will also send a truck out that has a medic trained fireman who can also start IV's and give upper level medicine that an EMT can't give.

Ah, I didn't realize that EMTs couldn't do those things. That kind of sucks then!

[ADDirishboy]

EMT's honestly can't do much. I mean, it may be different in other states, but in AZ the only drugs we can give are epinephrine, oxygen, activated charcoal, glucose, aspirin, albuterol, nitroglycerin and thats about it. No IV's or anything like that. Our power in the field is VERY limited.

[PoorManQ45]

EMT's honestly can't do much. I mean, it may be different in other states, but in AZ the only drugs we can give are epinephrine, oxygen, activated charcoal, glucose, aspirin, albuterol, nitroglycerin and thats about it. No IV's or anything like that. Our power in the field is VERY limited.

Ah, I always thought EMTs were like mobile RNs!

*edit* Well that explains the pay...

[MellowZ32]

*edit* Well that explains the mitsu mirage...

[Mr1der]

Ah, I always thought EMTs were like mobile RNs!

*edit* Well that explains the pay...

nooo....a paramedic isn't quite on the level of an RN.

if a licensed EMT got a job at a hospital, they'd be a nursing tech.

not a nurse, but a tech.

[krimsonviper]

Ah, I always thought EMTs were like mobile RNs!

*edit* Well that explains Tylers gya buttsechs for the pay...

[ADDirishboy]

nooo....a paramedic isn't quite on the level of an RN.

if a licensed EMT got a job at a hospital, they'd be a nursing tech.

not a nurse, but a tech.

Essentially, yes.

To everyone else,

[MellowZ32]

[PoorManQ45]

Does anybody else have input on the main question?

Is it a consensus that the EMTs not being able to completely handle patients is the reason that Firetrucks are sent in addition to ambulances?

[PyR0NiAk]

Our fire department around my hometown is almost ALL are volunteers and there are VERY few of them trained to even be an EMT let alone a medic. They still send the firemen though to help with lifting and things of that nature. I still remember being a dispatcher before joining the military and having to send the fire department because some 500 pounder fell and can't get up.

[krimsonviper]

I figured, what if the person who they need to get to is trapped and the amberlamps can't get to them, I.E. behind a heave locked door, trapped underneath a heavy object, fire, wrecked vehicle, etc.

[PoorManQ45]

I figured, what if the person who they need to get to is trapped and the amberlamps can't get to them, I.E. behind a heave locked door, trapped underneath a heavy object, fire, wrecked vehicle, etc.

That makes sense, but I was thinking of the instances like the one I provided. The neighbor had to call 911. So they were expecting the paramedics.

I can understand when there's a crash or something. You never know if someone will be trapped, a chemical spill, etc... But I'm talking about at home.

If someone calls 911 can't the dispatcher get basic info to assess the situation?

[Chaotic_Warlord]

It all depends on the municipality, in Jersey every medical emergency call has an Ambulance and a State licensed paramedic on scene, meaning that if the ambulance gets onto the scene first they can't do anything besides stabilize the patient until the Paramedic gets there, at which time they are then authorized to route to the nearest hospital with the Paramedic following behind.

Now in Philly the Fire truck will always get there before the ambulance, no matter what the call is. If the ambulance gets there first they have to wait for the fire truck to get there before they can run to the hospital, but they fly solo unlike in Jersey. If grandma dies in her sleep and you call 911 a fire truck will come out and not an ambulance b/c there is a state licensed Paramedic on every truck.

It would appear than in your municipality the Paramedics ride with the fire crews while the EMT's are Ambulance crews, same as it is in Philly.

[krimsonviper]

That makes sense, but I was thinking of the instances like the one I provided. The neighbor had to call 911. So they were expecting the paramedics.

I can understand when there's a crash or something. You never know if someone will be trapped, a chemical spill, etc... But I'm talking about at home.

If someone calls 911 can't the dispatcher get basic info to assess the situation?

You also don't know what condition the house is in. Could be filled with a bunch of crap, and as pyroniak stated, they might need some heavy lifting to be performed.

And what Chaotic just said. Every state is different in how they handle emergency calls.

And I don't know about you, but I'd be pissed if the operator is asking me a bunch of questions over the during an emergency. I need to be calmed and told what to do.

[PyR0NiAk]

If someone calls 911 can't the dispatcher get basic info to assess the situation?

Ever spoken with someone on the phone who's in a panic? You're lucky to get more than OH MY GAD!! out of them... While the dispatcher's main focus is to try and get as much info as possible, they're happy to get an address and basic situation.

[ADDirishboy]

a chemical spill

HA! Most firemen don't TOUCH chemical spills. Hazmat is the one who deals with that s***. I'm perfectly fine with being around burning buildings and cars and stuff, but weird chemical crap is a no-no. Fire crews don't usually have the right equipment for a true hazmat situation. That's when you bring in the bubble boys.

[Bmore-coupe]

Sick people spontaneously combust all the time.

Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?

[dusred]

Here in our little town there are what we call "rescue units" which show up first. Basically whoever is running the rescue shift drives the rescue vehicle (which is usually a suburban) with all their equipment inside as their personal vehicle. That way when they get a call they can go straight way to the call. Medics drive the rescue vehicle. I'm guessing the FD decided that a separate unit that weighed less than 40,000 lbs would be cheaper and faster than a firetruck in a case where a firetruck isn't really necessary.

When my brother got kicked in the head by the horse the cops were there within 1 minute and the rescue unit was there in two. The amberlamps was 6 minutes. In most cases the cops don't show up but because of the nature of the incident they had the cops and animal control show up too.

[Dattebayo]

It's because you touch yourself at night.

[PoorManQ45]

Here in our little town there are what we call "rescue units" which show up first. Basically whoever is running the rescue shift drives the rescue vehicle (which is usually a suburban) with all their equipment inside as their personal vehicle. That way when they get a call they can go straight way to the call. Medics drive the rescue vehicle. I'm guessing the FD decided that a separate unit that weighed less than 40,000 lbs would be cheaper and faster than a firetruck in a case where a firetruck isn't really necessary.

That makes sense! Why don't more municipalities do this?

I've often wondered why they use the fire engine for every call too.

I mean, a Suburban can hold all the primary gear for two guys easily.

[Bmore-coupe]

Here in our little town there are what we call "rescue units" which show up first. Basically whoever is running the rescue shift drives the rescue vehicle (which is usually a suburban) with all their equipment inside as their personal vehicle. That way when they get a call they can go straight way to the call. Medics drive the rescue vehicle. I'm guessing the FD decided that a separate unit that weighed less than 40,000 lbs would be cheaper and faster than a firetruck in a case where a firetruck isn't really necessary.

When my brother got kicked in the head by the horse the cops were there within 1 minute and the rescue unit was there in two. The amberlamps was 6 minutes. In most cases the cops don't show up but because of the nature of the incident they had the cops and animal control show up too.

at Amberlamps

[simmode1]

at Amberlamps

I lol'd too... Maybe the Firetrucks bring da M&M's...

[themadscientist]

at Amberlamps