Why do fire engines and ambulances respond on emergency medical calls?

Why did I see another City/District's fire truck in Spokane?

Do you have fire station tours or fire department visits to my school, church, etc.?

Do you provide and install smoke detectors?

Who do I call in case of a fire or fire-related emergency?

How do I get rid of old gasoline that I have in my garage?

Do you get cats out of trees or rescue pets?

What are the educational and physical requirements to be a firefighter?

Does the fire department service fire extinguishers?

Are tours of the firehouses available?

Is counseling available if my child is setting fires?

When an emergency vehicle is approaching that is displaying emergency lights and sirens, what should I do?

Why do so many fire trucks respond to simple incidents?

Why do fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?

Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof of a building on fire?

Why do firefighters break windows in a building that is on fire?

Why do fire trucks respond to motor vehicle accidents?

Who do I call for information at the Fire Department?

Where are the Fire Stations?

Where should I place my smoke detectors?

Is one smoke detector enough?

How do I maintain my smoke detectors?

Where do I call to get CPR classes?

Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?

Can my teenager complete a few community service hours at the Fire Department?

Does the City of Spokane furnish your meals?

Does the Fire Department install and/or inspect child car seats?

What is the difference between an EMT and Paramedic?

Why is there a Fire Engine/Ladder at the grocery store?

Why do fire engines and ambulances respond on emergency medical calls?
Many residents ask why fire engines respond to emergency medical calls. The answer is quality of care! The Spokane Fire Department endeavors to give our residents the best care possible and always provides the closest Fire Engine or Rescue to the emergency with staffed, competent Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.

In an emergency medical incident, additional staffing may be necessary to treat the patient and prepare him or her for transportation to the hospital. This additional staffing enables the responding crew to simultaneously complete different tasks for the patient's care. By having additional EMTs and Paramedics on hand, the care of the patient is improved, and the preparation time before transportation to the hospital is shortened. The fire engine often remains on the scene for assistance, but is available to respond to another emergency if another emergency call comes in.

In the event that another call does come in and the closest ambulance to the patient is already on call, the fire engine crew can respond and begin treatment to prepare the patient for transportation before an ambulance arrives. The EMT’s and Paramedics on the fire engine are capable of completing these tasks because of the equipment that is in place on each fire engine. Every fire engine is equipped with basic life support equipment and many have advanced life support equipment.

For further information regarding the emergency medical services provided by the Spokane Fire Department, please contact the Fire Department at the non-emergency number of (509) 625-7000.
(Top of Page)

Why did I see another City/District's fire truck in Spokane?
The City of Spokane is a member of the Spokane County Mutual Aid System. This is an agreement that allows Spokane to call for support, additional resources, and specialized teams if they are needed. It also allows other cities and towns to utilize Spokane assets.
(Top of Page)

Do you have fire station tours or fire department visits to my school, church, etc.?
Yes. We are happy to schedule tours of our fire station for your school or civic group. Our Firefighters will also visit your location to present fire and life safety education programs. For more information or to schedule a visit, contact the Spokane Fire Department at 509-625-7000.
(Top of Page)

Do you provide and install smoke detectors?
We do have a smoke detector program. Eligibility for free detectors is based on financial need. We will gladly visit your home to suggest the best location for your detector. We also install your detector(s) and change batteries as necessary free of charge for the physically impaired, seniors, and other persons needing assistance. Contact the Spokane Fire Department at 509-625-7000.
(Top of Page)

Who do I call in case of a fire or fire-related emergency?
For any emergency in the Spokane area, you should dial 911. The Spokane County 911 Center, located in the City of Spokane Law and Justice Center, receives all 911 emergency calls for Spokane County. For non-emergency calls, please call the number for the department you wish to reach.
(Top of Page)

How do I get rid of old gasoline that I have in my garage?
The best way to get rid of gasoline is to use it in your lawn mower. The fire department cannot accept the gasoline as we do not have a method for disposal. A second option is to call a hazardous materials waste hauler to dispose of it for you.
(Top of Page)

Do you get cats out of trees or rescue pets?
It depends on the situation. We will evaluate the situation and assess the risk to our firefighting personnel. Provided that there is no unsafe condition(s) we may attempt a rescue. We will usually require that the owner of the pet be present to accept liability should one of our personnel become bitten or scratched and require medical treatment. Often times a rescue is not required. With cats in trees, we strongly suggest opening a can of tuna (this usually works), leaving the immediate area and waiting for the cat to get down on its own.
(Top of Page)

What are the educational and physical requirements to be a firefighter?
The physical demands can be great for short periods of time. We function in hazardous environments and under great stress during emergency operations. Current educational requirements to become a Spokane Firefighter are a minimum high school education and a college education is preferred.
(Top of Page)

Does the fire department service fire extinguishers?
The fire department does not service fire extinguishers. There are many fire extinguisher companies in the telephone book that have the proper equipment to service them.
(Top of Page)

Are tours of the firehouses available?
Yes, fire station tours are offered at all three stations. School-aged children are the most prevalent visitors to the stations, but everybody is welcomed. Call the individual fire station that you are interested in visiting to set up an appointment.
(Top of Page)

Is counseling available if my child is setting fires?
Yes, call Jan Doherty at (509) 625-7000 for information on Juvenile Fire Setter Counseling.
(Top of Page)

When an emergency vehicle is approaching that is displaying emergency lights and sirens, what should I do?
Please pull to the right and stop. This will allow fire apparatus or other emergency vehicles adequate and clear lanes to safely and quickly continue its response.
(Top of Page)

Why do so many fire trucks respond to simple incidents?
Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. The Spokane Fire Department responds with adequate resources when they reacting for a citizen in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. Discovering that we need more units once we arrive is often too late. We have learned from experience that it is better to have too much help than not enough. A structure fire requires a number of people to do all the assigned tasks almost simultaneously. Firefighting teams are assigned certain responsibilities such as fire extinguishment, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, safety, accountability and rapid intervention teams.
(Top of Page)

Why do fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?
As explained in the previous answer, sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, assessed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control or that a single unit could handle the emergency. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call. Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle with red lights and sirens go through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call to which they were responding.
(Top of Page)

Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof of a building on fire?
This is called "venting the roof". There are two basic reasons for this practice. Dangerous superheated gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. Unlike the movie versions of fires, it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment or for victims to survive. When a hole is made in the roof, and the building is "vented", the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It increases the victim’s chance for survival and makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft (explosion) and flashover. Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof and cut holes to access the attic to stop the fire from spreading through the attic.
(Top of Page)

Why do firefighters break windows in a building that is on fire?
Dangerous superheated gases need to be ventilated to allow firefighters to safely and quickly rescue trapped occupants and extinguish the fire. By venting the window (horizontal ventilation) of a room that is on fire, it actually helps to contain the fire within that room of origin. Otherwise heated gases spread throughout the inside of the house. Breaking the window really prevents a great deal more damage than it appears to cause. Replacing broken glass is much less expensive than repairing structural damage from the fire.
(Top of Page)

Why do fire trucks respond to motor vehicle accidents?
Two reasons. First, automobile accidents present other hazards such as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, and/or the presence of hazardous materials. Second, Spokane firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics. They assist the ambulance with patient care or assist in extricating (removing) trapped occupants of the vehicle.
(Top of Page)

Who do I call for information at the Fire Department?
SFD Administration: (509)625-7000
(Top of Page)

Where are the Fire Stations?
Link to Stations Map
(Top of Page)

Where should I place my smoke detectors?
As per manufacturers recommendations in the instructions included with the smoke detector.
(Top of Page)

Is one smoke detector enough?
You should have one smoke detector on each level of your home and one in each sleeping area.
(Top of Page)

How do I maintain my smoke detectors?
Smoke detectors should be tested monthly, vacuumed monthly with a brush attachment, and change the batteries every six months.
(Top of Page)

Where do I call to get CPR classes?
The CPR Schedule Telephone Line is 509-625-7061 or you may call 59-625-7000.
(Top of Page)

Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?
Blood pressure checks are performed at any fire station during business hours 0800 to 1700.
(Top of Page)

Can my teenager complete a few community service hours at the Fire Department?
Due to the emergency response nature of the fire department SFD personnel are in and out of their station many times a day providing service to the community. At the present time we do not allow community service to be performed in the fire stations.
(Top of Page)

Does the City of Spokane furnish your meals?
The city does not provide any of the food items utilized in the fire stations. The firefighters assess themselves a small fee and purchase any items they may need.
(Top of Page)

Does the Fire Department install and/or inspect child car seats?
At the presaent time the SFD does not have any members certified to inspect and install child safety seats.
(Top of Page)

What is the difference between an EMT and Paramedic?
EMTs generally spend approximately 120 hours to become certified in the State of Washington. Paramedics currently attend school for approximately 1000 hours of training and serve a six month internship under the supervision of a practicing paramedic.
(Top of Page)

Why is there a Fire Engine/Ladder at the grocery store?
Firefighters are allowed to go to the grocery store on duty because personnel do not necessarily know who will be assigned at a station for the day, prior to the start of their shift. Vacations, sickness, injuries, etc. all cause daily vacancies that cause us to have to move employees to cover vacancies. This is no fault of the employee and its occurrence makes it extremely difficult to plan meals before arriving for duty. The FD encourages station personnel to eat as a group for camaraderie so personnel cannot really plan their meals until all who are assigned at the station for the day, arrive at the station. When units go to the store, they are in-service available to respond to incidents, so they carry portable radios with them and try to park in a location that is convenient for them to respond to incidents if they occur. Why not send someone in a private vehicle to go to the store you might wonder? In communities that have the luxury to have 4 or more personnel assigned to fire apparatus, they have the flexibility to do this, but in Spokane most of our FD units only have 3 personnel assigned to them. If we send an individual by private vehicle and that station catches an alarm while the individual is gone, then it becomes necessary to send a second unit along on the incident to have enough personnel to deal with the incident. This creates coverage problems for other areas of the City. We ask station personnel to try and make their trips to the store when they are already out on their vehicles in their districts and are returning from a call, training, etc. There have been many instances when a trip to the grocery store has placed companies in closer proximity to emergency calls and their response times are usually quicker since they are on the road. We also encourage the crews to take the time to talk with the public when they are out and capitalize on fire/injury prevention education if children are present.
(Top of Page)