Rescue and You

Fire and Rescue providers recognize that when someone calls 911, they, or a family member or friend, may be going through one of the worst experiences of their life. Providers will do everything they know how to do to make the situation better for the patient and the patient's family or friends.

Here are some tips to help providers respond quickly and efficiently to your emergency:

Take a moment to compose yourself before calling 911; provide relevent information concerning your location and the patient's signs and symptoms (what they say as well as what you can see) [if medical] or the situation [if fire/other]
If the 911 dispatcher provides directions, such as administer aspirin or evacuate the residence, follow them to the letter.
Before fire/rescue arrives, make sure your house is well illuminated (if at night) and that your address is visible from the road. If you do not have a mailbox with your address by the road, make sure yout tell the 911 dispatcher were providers can find the house number. If your mailbox or house number becomes obscured, either due to snow, mud, etc. either clear if off or create a large sign with the numbers on it.
For a medical emergency, if possible have a copy of the patient's medical history, allergies, and medications ready. Also have all of the patient's medications in a bag ready for the medics to see if needed.
It is important for providers to know entirely what is going on with the patient. Because of this, it is very important to tell providers what the patient has done recently, or if they have taken anything such as drugs (both over the counter and recreational) or alcohol.
If the patient has a valid DNR in place, and you believe the patient has developed cardiac arrest (where BOTH the patient's pulse and breathing have ceased), have the DNR out and ready for providers to observe. If the DNR is NOT on scene, then send someone to pick it up, as a DNR is only applicable if it is on-scene with the patient, and providers will be obligated to perform CPR until the DNR arrives. Tattoo DNRs are NOT valid, MedAlert DNR Jewelry is considered debatable by some professionals; the best thing is to have the original DNR present if the patient does not want interventional procedures.
If you plan to ride with your friend or family, and have a vehicle that must be left behind, fire and rescue are not responsible for the protection of your vehicle or a ride home from the hospital. Call someone to have them pick up your vehicle, or consider following the ambulance to the hospital, instead of riding along

On the Road:

People often ask what the proper response is to fire, rescue, or law enforcement vehicles who are operating with lights and sirens. The best answer is that each state, and most counties, have their own specific driving laws, so look those up. Please note that in most areas you are REQUIRED to pull over if an emergency vehicle operating with lights and sirens comes up behind you. But here are some general recommendations:

Pull off to the closest side of the road. If you are in the middle lane of a 3-lane road, pull to the right.
Do NOT panic! While it can be startling to look up at your rearview mirror and see an emergency vehicle, overreacting can cause more damage and chaos than not pulling over. Simply, calmly pull over to the side, being careful to mind other traffic.
All emergency vehicle drivers are EVOC certified and have been specially trained for emergency driving, so while they me seem to be driving dangerously or erratically, please be aware that they are trained professionals. If you still have concerns, you can always call to discuss it with the crew chief or the department.
Since light travels faster than sound, you may often see an emergency vehicle before you hear it, especially if that vehicle is moving at 60+ MPH. When you come up to an intersection or turn, especially if you have the right of way, slow down and look in all directions (including rearview mirror), and turn down any music. Emergency vehicles operating with both lights and sirens have the right of way at intersections, and they should slow significantly down as well as increase their siren volume, but it is important to be looking for them.
Do NOT try to race or pull in front of an emergency vehicle. If you see an emergency vehicle down the road you are trying to turn onto, just wait until the vehicle passes. More than likely that emergency vehicle will catch up to you quickly and you'll have to pull over anyway. Just wait.
Do NOT follow closely behind emergency vehicles, and do NOT try to take advantage of the open area an emergency vehicle creates in traffic.
If you come upon the scene of an accident, or any event, where fire and rescue apparatus are parked, with their lights running, and traffic is still moving, move into the lane furthest from the apparatus. If traffic is stopped, or there is no room to get around the apparatus or scene, PLEASE be patient! We understand that you are most likely in a hurry and have plans, but please respect that someone has called 911 for a reason and is in an emergency. We will clear the scene as soon as possible, but until then, please have patience.

Here are some tips to help providers respond quickly and efficiently to your emergency:

Take a moment to compose yourself before calling 911; provide relevent information concerning your location and the patient's signs and symptoms (what they say as well as what you can see) [if medical] or the situation [if fire/other]
If the 911 dispatcher provides directions, such as administer aspirin or evacuate the residence, follow them to the letter.
Before fire/rescue arrives, make sure your house is well illuminated (if at night) and that your address is visible from the road. If you do not have a mailbox with your address by the road, make sure yout tell the 911 dispatcher were providers can find the house number. If your mailbox or house number becomes obscured, either due to snow, mud, etc. either clear if off or create a large sign with the numbers on it.
For a medical emergency, if possible have a copy of the patient's medical history, allergies, and medications ready. Also have all of the patient's medications in a bag ready for the medics to see if needed.
It is important for providers to know entirely what is going on with the patient. Because of this, it is very important to tell providers what the patient has done recently, or if they have taken anything such as drugs (both over the counter and recreational) or alcohol.
If the patient has a valid DNR in place, and you believe the patient has developed cardiac arrest (where BOTH the patient's pulse and breathing have ceased), have the DNR out and ready for providers to observe. If the DNR is NOT on scene, then send someone to pick it up, as a DNR is only applicable if it is on-scene with the patient, and providers will be obligated to perform CPR until the DNR arrives. Tattoo DNRs are NOT valid, MedAlert DNR Jewelry is considered debatable by some professionals; the best thing is to have the original DNR present if the patient does not want interventional procedures.
If you plan to ride with your friend or family, and have a vehicle that must be left behind, fire and rescue are not responsible for the protection of your vehicle or a ride home from the hospital. Call someone to have them pick up your vehicle, or consider following the ambulance to the hospital, instead of riding along

On the Road:

Pull off to the closest side of the road. If you are in the middle lane of a 3-lane road, pull to the right.
Do NOT panic! While it can be startling to look up at your rearview mirror and see an emergency vehicle, overreacting can cause more damage and chaos than not pulling over. Simply, calmly pull over to the side, being careful to mind other traffic.
All emergency vehicle drivers are EVOC certified and have been specially trained for emergency driving, so while they me seem to be driving dangerously or erratically, please be aware that they are trained professionals. If you still have concerns, you can always call to discuss it with the crew chief or the department.
Since light travels faster than sound, you may often see an emergency vehicle before you hear it, especially if that vehicle is moving at 60+ MPH. When you come up to an intersection or turn, especially if you have the right of way, slow down and look in all directions (including rearview mirror), and turn down any music. Emergency vehicles operating with both lights and sirens have the right of way at intersections, and they should slow significantly down as well as increase their siren volume, but it is important to be looking for them.
Do NOT try to race or pull in front of an emergency vehicle. If you see an emergency vehicle down the road you are trying to turn onto, just wait until the vehicle passes. More than likely that emergency vehicle will catch up to you quickly and you'll have to pull over anyway. Just wait.
Do NOT follow closely behind emergency vehicles, and do NOT try to take advantage of the open area an emergency vehicle creates in traffic.
If you come upon the scene of an accident, or any event, where fire and rescue apparatus are parked, with their lights running, and traffic is still moving, move into the lane furthest from the apparatus. If traffic is stopped, or there is no room to get around the apparatus or scene, PLEASE be patient! We understand that you are most likely in a hurry and have plans, but please respect that someone has called 911 for a reason and is in an emergency. We will clear the scene as soon as possible, but until then, please have patience.