FAQ
Emergency Response
Why send multiple vehicles to a fire?
Each fire truck carries a specific complement of equipment and personnel. There are a number of specialized roles that firefighters undertake at the scene of a fire, and firefighting is a very labor-intensive activity. Firefighters must be rotated out periodically in order to change out air bottles and physically rest to maintain the ability to work on the fireground.
For this reason, it is essential to have enough firefighters on the scene of an incident so that our personnel can adequately recover between assignments. Even a small fire can be unpredictable and can become large and out of control quickly unless sufficient resources are available.
More Answers About Emergency Response
Emergency Response
Why does a fire truck respond to medical calls?
A fire truck will sometimes arrive at an incident first because it is the closest emergency unit to the emergency scene and we are committed to getting help to your location as fast as possible. All emergency response personnel are well-trained in providing Emergency Medical Services. We have several personnel...
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Emergency Response
When should I call 911 vs. non-emergency?
Call 911 for emergencies requiring immediate response:Fire, smoke, or smell of gasMedical emergencies (chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, unconsciousness)Vehicle accidents with injuriesAny situation requiring police, fire, or ambulance immediatelyCall our non-emergency number (817) 295-9539 for:General questions about our servicesStation tours or community eventsNon-urgent requests (blood pressure checks, smoke detector...
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Emergency Response
Why use lights and sirens at night?
The purpose of emergency warning equipment is to let drivers and pedestrians know that an emergency vehicle is on the way to an emergency. Texas state law as well as our standard operating procedures require that our drivers utilize emergency warning equipment during emergency response regardless of the time of...
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Grease Fires and Water Do Not Mix
Never throw water on a grease fire — it will cause the burning oil to explode and spread the fire rapidly. Instead, turn off the heat source, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, and leave it covered until it cools completely. If the fire is too large to control, evacuate and call 911.
Close Your Door Before Bed
Keeping your bedroom door closed while you sleep can hold back flames and toxic smoke for several minutes, giving you critical extra time to escape. A closed door can mean the difference between a survivable and unsurvivable room temperature during a house fire.