Much of what the fire department does has little to do with fire. The fire department plays a central role in the emergency medical system. In many areas, firefighters have special emergency medical training and a fire engine will be the first emergency vehicle on the scene of an illness or injury. Because they respond to both fires and emergency medical calls, engines carry all the medical supplies and equipment that a firefighter-EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) may need. Medical emergencies may include bites, bleeding, burns, choking, drug overdoses, fainting, heart attacks, and poisons. Fire department personnel treat people at the scene of the problem. However, if transportation is required to a hospital or other medical facility, an ambulance will often be called. Fire department services are almost always paid for with tax dollars and no fee to the person receiving the service. Ambulances, on the other hand, are usually operated by private businesses and can be very expensive to use.

The most dangerous part of a firefighter's job is fighting fires. Most fires are caused by the carelessness of men, women and children. Because the best way to stop a fire is to prevent it, most fire departments have active programs of public information. Fire department personnel present programs in schools and put on displays in shopping malls and fairs. They distribute educational materials to help people prevent fires in their homes and place of work.

There are many things you can do to help keep your family and home safe:

1. Take emergency first aid or CPR training. Learn how to recognize signs of illness or injury requiring emergency help and learn how to help before outside assistance arrives. For example, diseases of the heart and blood vessels are the leading cause of death in the U. S. and cardiac problems are the most common reason firefighters respond to illness calls. Chest pain for more than a few minutes or heavy sweating, difficulty breathing and nausea, even without chest pain, could be a heart attack. For information on a course near you, call the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or your fire department.
2. Make sure that everyone in the family knows the emergency services phone number. Post the number near your phone, along with your address and phone number, so guests have that information.
3. Know how to turn off your utilities, such as gas, water, and electricity.
4. Maintain your smoke detector. It should be tested monthly. Once a year it should be cleaned and the batteries changed. It should be replaced after ten years.
5. Make an escape plan for your home showing at least two exits from every room and pick a family meeting place outside.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher in your home. To operate a fire extinguisher, pull the pin, aim the hose, squeeze the handle, and sweep from side to side at the base of the flames. The biggest fire problem is unattended cooking. Stay nearby when you cook.
7. Get in the habit of making a safety tour of your home before you leave or go to bed. Make sure the stove is turned off. Keep flammable materials away from heaters. Keep matches and lighters where children cannot get them.

1. If there is a fire, first get everyone out of the home. Call for help from another location.
2. Dial 911, or other emergency response number in your area.
3. Give the dispatcher your name and address and the phone number from which you are calling.
4. Provide a description of the problem and its location.
5. Remain calm. Answer all questions briefly but thoroughly.
6. If the location is not obvious, have someone wait outside for the emergency help to show them the way. Turn your outside lights on if it is dark out and unlock your front door.