FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Why does a fire
engine respond when I called for an ambulance?
When I call for an ambulance, why do I see an
ambulance from another town?
How many fire departments does Elmwood Park have?
Why do emergency apparatus use their red lights
then turn them off?
Why do firefighters break windows and cut holes in
a roof during a fire?
If I was trapped in a fire, would the fire
department be able to rescue me?
When an emergency vehicle is approaching, what
should I do?
Do you get cats out of trees?
How do I get a copy of a fire report?
Where can I take a CPR course?
Where can I get my blood pressure checked?
How do I schedule a fire station
tour/presentation?
WHY DOES A FIRE ENGINE RESPOND
WHEN I CALLED FOR AN AMBULANCE?
Our department will send an engine on all life threatening calls;
heart attacks, trouble breathing, possible stroke etc. We also
respond with an engine on all auto-accidents.
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WHEN I CALL FOR AN AMBULANCE, WHY
DO I SEE AN AMBULANCE FROM ANOTHER TOWN?
During the course of a day it is not unusual for two calls for the
ambulance to come in at the same time. We will then dispatch a
paramedic ambulance from the next available town, either River Grove
or River Forest.
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HOW MANY FIRE DEPARTMENTS DOES
ELMWOOD PARK HAVE?
Just one! But, there are 2 stations within the village limits,
Station One is located in the Circle and Station Two is located at
the new Public Safety Building 7420 W. Fullerton.
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WHY DO I SEE FIRE ENGINES OR MEDIC UNITS GO
THROUGH INTERSECTIONS WITH THEIR RED LIGHTS FLASHING, AND THEN TURN
THEM OFF? ARE THEY JUST IN A HURRY TO GO SOMEWHERE?
Emergency lights and siren are used when responding to a call.
Apparatus responding to calls are frequently cancelled, or the first
arriving unit determines that the call is not an emergency and tells
the units to respond in a non-emergency mode.
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WHY DO FIREFIGHTERS BREAK WINDOWS AND CUT UP
ROOFS WHEN THE FIRE IS INSIDE A BUILDING? IT SEEMS THAT THEY
ARE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE THAN THE FIRE
Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In
many instances, firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before
they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. Heat and smoke
rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in
strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool
air to enter the structure from below. We call this
"ventilation". This improves visibility and lowers heat
conditions for the firefighters inside, allowing them to quickly and
safely extinguish the fire. Remember, heat and smoke cause damage
too, so ventilation can actually reduce overall damage to a building
and contents.
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IF I WAS TRAPPED IN A BURNING BUILDING,
WOULD FIREFIGHTERS BE ABLE TO RESCUE ME?
This all depends on you and the fire protection features of the
building you are in at the time of the fire. Relying on the
expertise and resources of your local firefighters to save you in a
fire is risky at best. The best rescue is self rescue. Install smoke
detectors in your home, and check them monthly. Have a fire escape
plan that includes 2 ways out of each room/home, and practice it.
Learn what to do in the event of fire
in your home. Never re-enter a burning building. If you panic,
your chances of survival decrease drastically. If you are trapped
and you know the fire department is on scene, make your location
known by yelling, opening a window and dropping something out, or
calling 9-1-1 and relaying your location to the dispatcher. Stuff
bedding or towels under the door to keep deadly smoke and gases out
of the room. Do not hide under a bed or table! Stay near a window or
doorway. Firefighters are taught to search under windows and
doorways during rescue searches. If you are on a second floor you
may be able to hang from a window and drop to the ground without
suffering significant injury. This option should be considered a
last resort, when smoke and/or heat make the room you are in
uninhabitable.
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WHEN I SEE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE APPROACHING
WHILE I AM DRIVING, SHOULD I ALWAYS PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT AND STOP?
State law, and common sense, dictate that vehicles yield to
emergency vehicles that are operating their emergency lights and
siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are taught to pass on the left
whenever possible when responding in an emergency mode. When safe,
slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. However, there are
circumstances where that may not be possible (if you car is already
stopped, and you don't have anywhere to pull over). Simply stay put
until the emergency vehicle goes around you. If you are blocking the
route of the emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and
over into a clear area, use your turn signal to indicate your
intentions, and proceed at a safe speed. Never slam on the brakes
and stop in the middle of the road when you see apparatus
approaching. Make no sudden moves. If an emergency vehicle is
approaching from the opposite direction, you should pull over and
stop. You have no idea if they are proceeding down the road, or are
planning on turning into a driveway or intersection right in front
of you. You are not required to slow down or pull over for emergency
vehicles that are responding in the opposite direction on a divided
freeway or highway.
Do not tailgate, "draft", or follow a responding
apparatus closely. Not only is this illegal, you run the risk of
collision as vehicles pull back out into traffic after the emergency
vehicle goes by.
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DO YOU GET CATS OUT OF TREES/TELEPHONE
POLES/OFF THE ROOFS?
No. Put an open can of tuna at the bottom of the pole and wait
for the cat to get down on its own.
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HOW DO I GET A COPY OF A FIRE INVESTIGATION
REPORT?
Call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 708-452-3934.
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I NEED A CPR COURSE. WHO TEACHES THESE
COURSES LOCALLY?
The Elmwood Park Fire Department offers CPR Courses usually
twice a year. If you are interested in signing up for
the next class simply call Station One at 708-453-2600 and ask to be
put on the CPR class list. You will be notified when the next
class will be offered.
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WHERE CAN I GO TO GET MY BLOOD PRESSURE
CHECKED?
Blood pressure testing is done at Station One on the 2nd and 4th
Wednesday's of the month from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
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CAN WE SCHEDULE A FIRE ENGINE PRESENTATION OR
STATION TOUR?
Yes, contact the fire department at 708-453-2600 and ask for the
Shift Commander; he will be happy to assist you with your request.
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