1. How do we get the calls?

    We receive our calls in a variety of ways. The majority of our calls come from the 911 dispatchers at the Bangor Police Department. They take all information, decide which units need to be dispatched and the mode that they need to go. Another way we get calls is from the 'Box Alarm System'. These are the red boxes that are seen around the city. All of our stations hear the bells and have a tape to tell us which box it is. Each box has a response listed for 2 engines, 2 rescues, a ladder and the Assistant Chief. The final way that we recieve calls is by calls directly to the stations, drive-ins or walk-ins. The company officer then decides how the call should be answered, notifies the dispatch center, then they fill out the response.

2. How is it decided who responds to calls?

   The city is broken into 3 districts. Each station has a 'first due' and 'still' area of the city. The dispatcher takes the location and looks into a file to determine the 'first due' companies (engine & rescue). If the first due units are busy, then the next closest units (second due) are dispatched.

3. I called an ambulance once, and a fire engine showed up. Why did that happen?

   The reason for the fire truck could be a for a variety of reasons. If the fire truck shows up with the ambulance, then it was determined by the dispatcher that the condition we were responding to, needed extra hands because of the patient's condition. This could be for as host of reasons, like heart problems of breathing problems. Sometimes (quite often) all 3 of our ambulances, or at least the ambulance that covers that district, is busy. Our engine companies all carry paramedic level equipment (the same stuff as the rescues) and probably have an advanced life support firefighter on the truck. We send an engine, so that care is not delayed. If needed, the company can defibrillate, start IV's, give medications or just start oxygen. The care is continued until the rescue arrives. If the patient's condition warrents, members of the engine company will go with the rescue to the hospital.

 4. Do we always respond with red lights and sirens?

     Not always. Depending on the nature of the call, the engine company or the rescue will travel with the flow of traffic. This is a lot safer for us as well as the public.

5. Does the ambulance always use the red lights and siren going to the hospital?

    No. Very rarely do we do that. Most of the time, we travel with the traffic. Why? All of our ambulances have at least 1 paramedic on it. These medics have all of the tools they need to stabilize the patient (most of the time) in the truck. It is safer for all if we don't 'blow through town'. Occasionally we will use the red lights and sometimes we use the siren. These patients are generally in serious condition. Even if we are able to stabilize them, time can be a factor in getting them to the ER for treatment and special tests.

6. Does a Fire Engine respond to all car accidents?

    The closest engine company will respond to all accidents with injuries. This is for many reasons - #1 being safety. Perhaps the vehicle is leaking fluids or has smoke coming from it. Perhaps the person is trapped in the car. All of our engine companies carry the 'Jaws of Life'. These tools include a spreader and a cutter. If more tools or a larger selection of equipment is needed, the the heavy rescue can respond. This truck has everything that is needed to remove the victims. If all of these issues are under control. then the Engine Company can assist the Rescue crew with patient care.

7. I noticed that the fire truck and ambulance went through a red light, then after they got through - they shut them off. Why was that?

    When this happens, the units are generally cancelled by somebody. It could either be the first due engine company or the police. No, this is not to get to the station faster.

8. I called because my smoke detectors were going off. Why did I get a whole street full of fire trucks?

    When we get an alarm, we need to respond as though your house or business my be on fire. Usually after the first engine company gets there, the rest of them are cancelled as soon as we find the problem.

9. My alarm went off - my alarm company called the fire department - after I found that the call was false I tried to cancel you. An engine company still showed up - why was that?

   Once we are dispatched, we need to send someone to check it out. You probably are right, that this was a false alarm, but we need to make sure. Why? Perhaps your house does have a problem and you don't realize it. We can help you find the problem. Perhaps someone else cancels us, and you don't know it and you do have a problem. That is why we always send at least 1 unit to check it out.

More coming soon