ALS Engines

Advance Life Support - ALS Engines

Why does a fire truck come to my house when I called for an ambulance?

One possible reason is to ensure that there is enough staff to treat the patient. All of our firefighters crossed trained as paramedics. There are at least two firefighter/paramedics on the ambulances as well as the fire trucks/engines.

Many times, when someone is very sick or injured, they need advanced life support (ALS) care.  ALS treatment includes starting Intravenous (IV) fluids, monitoring cardiac rhythms, providing oxygen, administering medications, possibly performing CPR, and/or defibrillating a patient.  

A second reason is that extra personnel may be required to safely move the patient to the ambulance.  At times, patients may not be able to walk out to the ambulance, and must be carried.  If the bedroom is on the second floor, or if there are steps outside the house, it may take more than two people to safely get the patient down the steps. 

An additional reason for sending a fire truck or an engine on an ambulance call is if the closest ambulance is busy and unavailable. Again, the staff on the fire trucks and engines are also paramedics and carry the same ALS medical equipment as an ambulance, and they can begin care before the ambulance arrives. They can then transfer care to the ambulance, and then become available for the next fire or EMS call.