EMS: What Firefighters Really Do on Medical Calls
Most people picture firefighters battling flames, climbing ladders, and rescuing victims from burning buildings. But in the United States, the majority of fire department responses are medical calls, not fires. These EMS calls range from cardiac arrests and strokes to car accidents, overdoses, falls, and breathing problems. Firefighters play a critical role in emergency medical care, often arriving before ambulances and beginning life-saving treatment.
Why Firefighters Respond to EMS Calls
Fire stations are strategically located throughout communities, allowing faster response times than ambulances in many cases. Firefighters are trained as EMTs or paramedics, giving them the skills needed to provide early intervention during critical emergencies. In cardiac arrest, seconds matter, and fire crews can begin CPR, defibrillation, airway management, and medication delivery before transport units arrive.
Types of EMS Incidents Firefighters Handle
Firefighters respond to a wide variety of medical emergencies:
- Cardiac arrests: High-priority calls requiring immediate life-saving intervention.
- Strokes: Time-sensitive incidents requiring rapid assessment and hospital transport.
- Respiratory distress: Asthma, COPD, smoke inhalation.
- Overdoses: Naloxone administration is common.
- Trauma: Vehicle accidents, falls, industrial injuries.
- Mental health crises: Assisting with de-escalation and safety.
Inside an EMS Response
When a medical emergency is dispatched, the closest fire company responds. Upon arrival, firefighters quickly assess the patient using the ABCs: airway, breathing, and circulation. They gather medical histories, take vital signs, and stabilize the patient while coordinating with incoming transport units.
Communication is essential. Firefighters must provide accurate information to paramedics, keep family members calm, and maintain scene safety. In chaotic environments, such as car crashes, they may also perform extrication or hazard control.
The Emotional Impact of EMS Calls
Medical calls often carry emotional weight. Firefighters regularly witness suffering, loss, and trauma. Departments increasingly prioritize mental health training, peer support, and stress management resources to help members cope with difficult calls.
Conclusion
EMS responses are a critical part of modern firefighting. Firefighters save countless lives through rapid medical intervention, teamwork, and advanced training. Understanding the depth of EMS work helps the public appreciate how essential fire crews are to the emergency medical system.
