Why does a fire truck come when you call for an ambulance?

Because firefighters can and do get there first, and time is critical in a medical emergency. Every Port Orange Fire fighter is cross-trained in Emergency Medical Services. What does that mean to you, a citizen phoning 911? Simply read on...

In the early days, fire stations were strategically located so the crews could quickly get to burning buildings. Obviously, time is an important aspect of firefighting, because flames can rapidly spread through a building. The ability to quickly respond to a fire provides more time to rescue people inside, and save property by suppressing the blaze in the early stages. It soon became apparent that the firefighter's ability to "get there fast" could be used for other types of emergency response, such as heart attacks, strokes and trauma.

Four minutes is a critical time frame for someone who has experienced a heart attack, injury, or other illness that makes them stop breathing. The heart and brain have a better chance of full recovery they receive oxygen in four minutes or less. After that, a person can suffer brain damage or worse. Our firefighters, many of them educated to the level of paramedic, can use life saving techniques including defibrillation and medications to help prevent death or permanent injury. These life saving techniques are much more effective if they can get to a patient within the first four minutes.

Each Port Orange Fire Station is part of a much larger, intricate dispatch system. The system is designed to provide adequate emergency coverage for the citizens who live here, by carefully managing response resources. Fire stations are not isolated or randomly located. They are strategically positioned to provide the best coverage with the least expenditure of resources.

Show All Answers

1. What is the “ISO”? What is the City of Port Orange’s ISO rating?
2. Does Port Orange Fire & Rescue have a Volunteer Fire Department?
3. How can I set up a tour of the fire station?
4. I am hosting a special event and I’d like a Firefighter to come speak to our group. Is anyone available for such an event?
5. How can I dispose of used paint, motor oil, and expired fire extinguishers?
6. Can I get my blood pressure checked at the fire station?
7. Can I get assistance installing my smoke detector and changing the batteries in my smoke detector?
8. How do I get a smoke detector or have mine checked?
9. How do I obtain a fire report?
10. I’ve been calling, but no one is in the office.
11. My child has started several small fires recently. Is there anything I can do to deter him/her from doing this again?
12. Can fireworks be used in the City of Port Orange?
13. Which station covers my neighborhood?
14. How do I dispose of expired medications?
15. Where should the Knox Box be installed?
16. How do I prepare for a hurricane?
17. Why does a fire truck come when you call for an ambulance?
18. Why does the Fire Department bring the fire engine just for a simple inspection?
19. Why do you block traffic lanes at auto accidents, sometimes more lanes than necessary?
20. Why am I not supposed to drive over a fire hose?
21. Why do I need to keep weeds and bushes away from fire hydrants on my property?
22. What other responsibilities do firefighters have other than fighting fires?
23. What should I do when I see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching when I'm driving?
24. My smoke detector is chirping, what does that mean?
25. How often should I change the batteries in my smoke detectors?
26. Can I burn leaves in my yard?
27. Why do firefighters shop at the local grocery stores?
28. How do I obtain a copy of an EMS report?
29. Sometimes I see emergency vehicles go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and siren and slow down. Why is this?
30. Does the Fire Department install car seats?
31. Why do I see fire trucks from neighboring communities in Port Orange on calls?
32. How do I select a fire extinguisher?
33. Does the fire department service fire extinguishers?
34. Where can I purchase a fire extinguisher?