Why doesn’t the Fire Department respond in a less costly Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in place of a fire engine to EMS/medical calls or vehicle accidents?

That can be done, and some Fire Departments do, however they independently staff the SUV.  That means, there are two crews; one for the fire engine and one for the SUV.  If you don’t do that but instead use the engine crew to staff the SUV unit, what happens when they are returning from an EMS/medical call and there is a dwelling fire in the City; do they respond back to the station and get the fire engine, or do they respond to the fire in the SUV but without the tools they need to address a fire?  Furthermore, it is not at all unusual to have multiple EMS calls in the City at one time; this could leave us in a position of not having any fire engine available in the City to respond to a fire.

Show All Answers

1. Does the Fire Department sell or give away patches or t-shirts?
2. Does the Fire Department perform CPR and first aid training?
3. How can I become a firefighter or paramedic?
4. Does the Fire Department conduct child car safety seat checks?
5. Do you offer station tours or host children's birthday parties?
6. What do I do with any expired or surplus fireworks and flares for proper and safe disposal?
7. How do I obtain a copy of the fire codes currently being enforced?
8. Where can I view the Maryland Fire Prevention Code?
9. How can I get a copy of my fire report?
10. Why doesn’t the Fire Department respond in a less costly Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in place of a fire engine to EMS/medical calls or vehicle accidents?
11. Why does the Fire Department respond with a fire engine and an ambulance to a seemingly minor vehicle accident? It seems like an inefficient use of resources and waste of money?