Why the Fire Department Responds Frequently for Ambulance Calls in the U.S.

Have you ever contacted 911 for an ambulance, only to be met by a fire department unit instead? This is a common occurrence in the U.S., particularly in urban and city areas. In this article, we will explore why the fire department often shows up first and why this is beneficial for patient survival.

The Importance of Quick Stabilization

During the Korean and Vietnam wars, the medical community discovered that stabilizing a victim within the critical first 30 minutes following an incident is the most crucial step in ensuring their survivability. This finding led to the development of field medic units and the introduction of helicopters, such as "Dust Off's," to transport wounded soldiers to medical facilities with field surgery capabilities.

This discovery highlights the importance of stabilizing the patient first. In many urban and city areas, fire stations are strategically located to provide quick response times, often within 10 to 15 minutes of any address. Similarly, medical facilities with emergency rooms are conveniently placed to ensure that most neighborhoods are within 30 to 70 minutes of such facilities.

The Role of Fire Departments

Fire departments play a vital role in stabilizing patients before transporting them to medical facilities. An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) within the fire department can stabilize the patient and provide critical care until the patient can be safely transported. This can be crucial, as stabilizing the patient often leads to better survival rates.

Community-Specific Services

Not all communities have the same linguistic and cultural needs. In areas with diverse populations, such as New York's Jewish Satmar Hungarian Orthodox community, there are specialized medical teams that cater to specific languages and cultures. For instance, when the primary language is neither English nor Spanish, as in the case of a native Hebrew, Hungarian, or German speaker, the community may have its own medical team that can provide language-specific care.

Volunteer Fire Departments in Rural Areas

In rural communities, the fire department often serves as the primary first responders. In many cases, volunteer fire departments provide emergency medical services due to their availability and potential to respond more quickly than an ambulance from a nearby hospital. These volunteer units are trained in emergency medical techniques to handle various medical emergencies, particularly those that do not require hospital-level care.

Training and Collaboration

Urban fire departments and ambulance services often collaborate and cross-train their personnel in emergency medical services. This ensures that firefighters can perform basic life support and stabilization measures until the patient can be transported to a medical facility. In some large cities, firefighters may even be certified as paramedics, further increasing their capability to handle various medical emergencies.

Community Insight from a Former EMT

A former EMT living in a rural community shares their perspective on why the fire department often responds for ambulance calls. They note that, in their area, rural fire departments are often volunteer-operated and trained in emergency medical services. These units can often respond more quickly than an ambulance, especially in smaller towns where road conditions and traffic can delay ambulance arrival times.

Conclusion

The fire department plays a crucial role in emergency response, particularly in stabilizing patients before transport. Their strategic locations and trained personnel provide essential support in critical situations. Whether in urban or rural areas, the fire department's rapid response capability can significantly impact patient survivability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do fire departments respond to ambulance calls?

Fire departments respond to ambulance calls because they are often the closest medical responders and can stabilize patients quickly before transporting them to a medical facility.

Can firefighters perform medical procedures?

Yes, many firefighters are trained in emergency medical techniques and can perform basic life support and stabilization measures.

How do fire departments collaborate with ambulance services?

Fire and ambulance services often collaborate and cross-train their personnel in emergency medical services, ensuring a more comprehensive response to medical emergencies.