FAQs • Cedar Falls • CivicEngage

Why do fire trucks arrive before or with ambulance on medical calls?: Currently, under various medical and traumatic injuries first responses we have fire personnel respond with Sartori Paramedics. We do not respond to all medical calls, but we do respond when called for breathing problems, heart trouble calls, stroke, falls and other traumatic injuries. The reason we respond with the paramedics is that often on a major medical response or traumatic injury response the paramedics need additional help to perform specific tasks in the treatment of a patient. In addition, depending on the medical call fire personnel may drive the ambulance so that both paramedics may assist the patient.

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PSS - Fire Operations

1. Why do fire trucks arrive before or with ambulance on medical calls?: Currently, under various medical and traumatic injuries first responses we have fire personnel respond with Sartori Paramedics. We do not respond to all medical calls, but we do respond when called for breathing problems, heart trouble calls, stroke, falls and other traumatic injuries. The reason we respond with the paramedics is that often on a major medical response or traumatic injury response the paramedics need additional help to perform specific tasks in the treatment of a patient. In addition, depending on the medical call fire personnel may drive the ambulance so that both paramedics may assist the patient.

2. Can you help me get my car or house door unlocked?: Generally, the answer is no. The only time we would consider assisting a citizen unlock a door is if there is imminent danger to someone’s life.

3. Who do we call to get our cat out of the tree?: Unfortunately, as much as members of the Cedar Falls Fire Division would like to help get your cat out of the tree, for liability reasons we do not perform cat rescues. Your best bet would be to call the Cedar Bend Humane Society at (319) 232-6887 for ideas on how to get your cat down from the tree.