Why do fire engines and ambulances respond on emergency medical calls?
The answer is quality of care! The Gilroy Fire Department deploys 3 strategically located fire engines to maintain short response times. The private ambulance company responds as well to provide transportation to the hospital. We endeavor to give our residents the best care possible and always provide the closest fire engine to the emergency staffed with a Firefighter / Paramedic and 2 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), who fill the ranks of Fire Captain, Engineer and Firefighter.

This staffing enables the responding crew to simultaneously complete different tasks for the patient's care. For instance, when a patient has a heart attack, connecting the defibrillator, CPR, rescue breathing, starting an IV, and administering lifesaving medications may all need to be accomplished quickly and simultaneously in order to give the patient the best chance for survival. By having adequate personnel on hand the care of the patient is improved and the preparation time before transportation to the hospital is significantly shortened.

On some medical calls the fire engine may remain on the scene for family or a business’s assistance, but is available to respond to another emergency if another emergency call comes in.

Show All Answers

1. What do firefighters do while they are waiting for a fire or other emergency?
2. What schedule do firefighters work?
3. Why do fire engines and ambulances respond on emergency medical calls?
4. Why do fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?
5. Why do firefighters use chain saws to cut holes in the roof of a building that’s on fire?
6. Does the Fire Department service fire extinguishers?
7. When an emergency vehicle is approaching that is displaying emergency lights and sirens, what should I do?
8. Why did I see another Fire Department’s fire engine in Gilroy?
9. Why do so many fire trucks respond to simple incidents?
10. Why do fire trucks respond to motor vehicle accidents?