Frequently Asked Questions

When I call 911 for a Medical Emergency, why does the fire department show up?

All firefighers are required to undergo medical training. Many of our firefighters are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). When a 911 call is received for a medical emergency, there are times when the fire department can arrive before the ambulance and start patient care. Other times, we help the ambulance crew by assisting with patient care, removing the patient from a dangerous area, or even driving the ambulance to the hospital.

Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof of a building during a fire? Doesn’t this do even more damage to the house?

The practice of cutting holes in the roof of a burning structure is known as ventilation. Ventilation helps firefighters inside the building by allowing smoke and superheated gases to escape, which eliminates some of the smoke in a building and makes the environment a little easier to work in, in addition to keeping the superheated gases from igniting an attic fire. Unlike the movies, it is normally pitch-black inside a burning building because of all the smoke. Ultimately, ventilation helps firefighters who may be searching for someone trapped in the building by eliminating some smoke and heat, or those who are trying to put the fire out by allowing hot steam to escape rather than come back at them and burn them. This helps us save people who may be trapped, and to put the fire out quickly, saving more of the building.

Why do I sometimes see an emergency vehicle go through an intersection with lights and sirens on, and then, after they go through, turn them off and slow down?

Many times, several units are dispatched to the same emergency incident. The first unit may have arrived on scene, surveyed the situation, and informed the dispatcher that it was under control, or that more units were not necessary. All other responding units were cancelled and placed back into service, ready to take another call. Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go through an intersection “Priority One” (lights and sirens) and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on, or requested to continue “Priority Three” (non-emergent, normal traffic).

Why do some fire trucks park down the street from an incident?

In situations when a scene is deemed unsafe due to a potentially violent patient or family member, or if there are dangerous drugs or weapons involved, Fire and EMS units may “stage” until the police department has secured (made safe) the scene. On fire calls, engine and truck companies may stage until they have been provided an assignment by an “Incident Commander.” Because of the number of things that must be done near simultaneously during a fire attack, it is important to only have those units/personnel that have an active assignment on scene, with the rest staged and ready to deploy.

Why do I sometimes see fire trucks parked in the grocery store parking lot?

Firefighters may need to go to the grocery store to buy food to prepare meals for the day. Because they must be able to respond to an emergency incident at any time, the crew is required to stay together, close to their truck and be prepared to respond immediately, even from the grocery store, if they get a call.

How do I request a copy of an incident report?

Call the fire station nearest to where the incident took place. We will need the date, approximate time, and location of the incident to efficiently process your request.

Who do I call to schedule an Superior Township Fire Truck, Firefighter, or Fire Safety Class at my function, or to schedule a Public Education Event?

Call Station #1 at (734) 484-1996 and ask for (or leave a message for) the Fire Chief.