FAQ

Emergency Response

When should I call 911 vs. non-emergency?

Call 911 for emergencies requiring immediate response:

  • Fire, smoke, or smell of gas
  • Medical emergencies (chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, unconsciousness)
  • Vehicle accidents with injuries
  • Any situation requiring police, fire, or ambulance immediately

Call our non-emergency number (817) 295-9539 for:

  • General questions about our services
  • Station tours or community events
  • Non-urgent requests (blood pressure checks, smoke detector help)
  • Follow-up questions about previous incidents

When in doubt, call 911. It's better to call and not need emergency services than to delay during a real emergency.

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More Answers About Emergency Response

Emergency Response
What should I do when approached by emergency vehicles?
When you notice an approaching emergency vehicle, immediately pull to the right and stop. If you are approaching an intersection and see an emergency vehicle that is approaching the intersection from behind you or another direction, come to a stop, preferably one or two car lengths back from the intersection if possible... Read The Rest
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... Read The Rest
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... Read The Rest
Check Your Smoke Alarm Placement
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, inside every bedroom, and outside each sleeping area. Mount them on the ceiling or high on a wall, 6 to 8 inches below the ceiling. Avoid placing them near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts could interfere with their operation.
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.