Why
does a fire engine respond when I call for an ambulance?
Why
do I see fire engines or medic units go through intersections with their red
lights flashing, and then turn them off? Are they just in a hurry to go
somewhere?
Why
do firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs when the fire is inside a
building? It seems that they are causing more damage than the fire.
If
I were trapped in a burning building, would firefighters be able to rescue me?
When
I see an emergency vehicle approaching while I am driving, should I always
pull over to the right and stop?
How
do I get a copy of a Fire Report?
I need a CPR course. Who
teaches these courses locally?
Where can I get my blood
pressure checked?
Can we schedule a fire
engine presentation or station tour?
I
recently received a telephone call asking for a donation that benefits my
local Fire Department. Who receives the donations?
How
are members of the Fire Department hired?
It is the department policy to send a “company” on all life threatening calls; heart attacks,
trouble breathing, possible strokes, vehicle accidents, etc.
The “company” may be an engine, squad, aerial ladder,
tender, or heavy rescue vehicle, depending on the type of call.
These personnel do basic Emergency Medical treatment; assist
the ambulance crew with equipment, patient assessment and transportation.
All of our personnel on these companies are state certified to at least
the Emergency Medical Technician level, some are paramedics.
Emergency
lights and siren are used only when responding to a call. Apparatus responding
to calls are frequently cancelled, or the first arriving unit determines that
the call is not an emergency and tells the units to respond in a non-emergency
mode, or to return to their station.
Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In many instances, firefighters
must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish
the fire. Heat and smoke rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out
windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool
air to enter the structure from below. We call this "ventilation".
This improves visibility and lowers heat conditions for the firefighters
inside, allowing them to quickly and safely extinguish the fire. Remember,
heat and smoke cause damage too, so ventilation will actually reduce overall
damage to a building and contents.
This all depends on you and the fire protection features of the building you are in at the time of the
fire. Relying on the expertise and resources of your local firefighters to
save you in a fire is risky at best. The best rescue is self rescue. Install
smoke detectors in your home, and check them monthly. Have a fire escape plan
that includes 2 ways out of each room/home, and practice it. Learn what to do
in the event of fire in your home. Never re-enter a burning building. If you
panic, your chances of survival decrease drastically. If you are trapped and
you know the fire department is on scene, make your location known by yelling,
opening a window and hanging something out, or calling 9-1-1 and relaying your
location to the dispatcher. Stuff bedding or towels under the door to keep
deadly smoke and gases out of the room. Do not hide under a bed or table! Stay
near a window or doorway. Firefighters are taught to search under windows and
doorways during rescue searches. If you are on a second floor you may be able
to hang from a window and drop to the ground without suffering significant
injury. This option should be considered a last resort, when smoke and/or heat
make the room you are in uninhabitable.
State law, and common sense, dictate that vehicles yield to emergency vehicles that
are operating their emergency lights and siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are
taught to pass on the left whenever possible when responding in an emergency
mode. When safe, slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. However, there
are circumstances where that may not be possible (if you car is already
stopped, and you don't have anywhere to pull over). Simply stay put until the
emergency vehicle goes around you. If you are blocking the route of the
emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and over into a clear area,
use your turn signal to indicate your intentions, and proceed at a safe speed.
Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road when you see apparatus
approaching. Make no sudden moves.
If an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, you should
pull over and stop. You have no idea if they are proceeding down the road, or
are planning on turning into a driveway or intersection right in front of you.
You are not required to slow down or pull over for emergency vehicles that are
responding in the opposite direction on a divided highway. Do not tailgate, "draft", or follow a responding apparatus
closely.
Not
only is this illegal, you run the risk of collision as vehicles pull back out
into traffic after the emergency vehicle goes by.
Sedgwick County Fire District #1 has established guidelines for the
release of fire or incident reports. The release of reports by SCFD #1 is governed by the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) K.S.A. 1992 Supp. 45-201 et
seq.
All
requests for reports must be in writing and must contain the name, address,
phone number of requestor, date and location of the incident, and whether
requestor is a person, business or firm. There is a $25 fee required. Requests
for reports should be processed in 5 to 7 business days. Contact the Fire
District offices at 316-660-3473 (660-FIRE).
SCFD #1 offers CPR courses to members of the department throughout the year and
citizens are welcome to attend. We can schedule courses for groups when
requested and when instructors and resources such as manikins, manuals, etc.
are available. Cost for courses delivered to groups is the responsibility of the group.
Such costs would would include cost of manuals, CPR cards, etc.
If you are interested in signing up for a course, simply call 316-660-3485
and ask for Division Chief "Buddy" Pressnell and he will try to set the course up
for you. He will advise you of any classes that are currently being taught throughout the county.
SCFD #1 participates in
the REACH PROGRAM that is offered through the American Heart Association.
All stations have Saturdays from 10:00 am to Noon set aside for doing
the blood pressure checks (if they are not out on an alarm).
If you are unable to make it in at that time, feel free to go to the
nearest fire station and ask them to take your blood pressure, they will still
do them for free if asked.
Yes, contact the Sedgwick County Fire District #1 offices or any Fire
Prevention Officer at 316-660-3453 or 316-660-3473 (660-FIRE)
and we will be happy to assist you with your request.
The
Sedgwick Fire District does NOT solicit donations. All Department funding
comes through a special assessment tax mill levy of 18.565 mills. The total
budget for 2005 was $12,879,742. This is divided between administration,
safety/training, and fire prevention. Revenue sources include ad valorem
taxes, miscellaneous taxes, inspection fees, building rentals, haz-mat
response fees, and other charges for service.
The
Fire Chief may accept donations from corporations, businesses, and citizens
that would like to donate to the Fire District. These donations go into the
Research and Development fund (a 501C tax deductible). This fund is used by
the R&D team to pilot programs in testing, technology, equipment, and
training etc.
There
are two groups that DO sponsor different types of fund raising programs. These
are separate from the Fire District itself. One of these is the Sedgwick
County Firefighters Benefit and Relief Assoc. This is a non-profit
organization, and may be reached by calling 316-660-3473 (660-FIRE).
The other is the Sedgwick County Firefighters IAAF Union 2612. They do fund
raising as a union to benefit their membership. They may be reached at 316-262-2101.
In order to be hired as a
Firefighter for Sedgwick County Fire District #1, interested parties must
complete an employment application. Applications may be completed online
when positions are posted at www.hrepartners.com.
Applicants are required to take a written exam and a physical agility test.
After the agility test, candidates will be interviewed by an interview
board and upon successful completion be placed on an eligibility list to hire
as positions come open. The
examinations are offered every two years. Inquires regarding the hiring process should be directed to the
Sedgwick County Human Resource Department at (316) 660-7050.
©, Copyright, 2001 Sedgwick County Fire District #1
last update:
12/01/05
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