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1. What are the current staffing levels of the Healdsburg Fire Department?

Our organization is comprised of 1 civilian, 10 paid personnel, and 23 reserves.

2. Do you refill or recharge fire extinguishers?

No, the Fire Department does not provide this service. The phone book lists a number of vendors who sell and service fire extinguishers under Fire Extinguishers in the yellow pages.

3. How come I see 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?

Several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, surveyed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call. Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go Code 3 (lights and siren) through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on.

4. What type of shifts do Healdsburg firefighters generally work?

Firefighters work a 48-hour shift on duty, followed by 96-hours off and Firefighters and Chief Officers, who work in the office, work a regular 40 hour week. In addition, the Fire Chief or Division Chief respond to emergency incidents 24 hours per day 365 days per year.

5. Where can I get information about becoming a Reserve Firefighter with the Healdsburg Fire Department?

Directly contact the Healdsburg Fire Department by phone 707-431-3360, email information request, or visit the fire station.

6. Why are the fire engines left running on calls?

Today's engines are very advanced compared to years past. If the engine is being used for firefighting operations, power from the motor is needed to run the pump to distribute water. During emergencies, lighting plays a key role. The power needed to run lights and emergency flashers draw a significant amount of energy to run. When the engines are in the fire station, they are always plugged in to a shore line that keeps the batteries charged, the engine warm and operating properly so that it is ready to go without warming up.

7. Why do fire engines respond to car accidents, even when they didn't look serious?

An accident does not have to look bad to cause injuries needing an emergency response. Firefighters check for fire and environmental hazards like gas, motor oil, or transmission fluid leaks. They also block the scene to protect emergency responders from being hit by cars while they work.

8. Why do fire engines respond with ambulances?

We respond with 2 or 3 personnel and are sometimes stationed closer to your address than the closest ambulance. Our engines have EMTs who can arrive before an ambulance to begin patient care and are equipped with basic life support medical gear and an automatic external defibrillator (AED), which may assist in certain types of cardiac arrest. Each Paramedic Ambulances have 1 Paramedic and 1 EMT on board. By adding additional personnel on the scene, we can do a more efficient, safer job of caring for our patients.

9. Why do Firefighters chop holes in walls?

Fire can get behind a wall and travel upwards, which happens often in older homes. Firefighters must open the wall to check for fire. If fire is discovered, the two adjoining wall spaces must also be opened and checked.

10. Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a building on fire?

This is called venting the roof. There are two basic reasons for this practice. Dangerous gases, heat and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building and it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment. When a hole is made in the roof because the building is vented, the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of back draft and flash over.

Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading through the attic.

11. Why do so many apparatus respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. The Healdsburg Fire Department thinks worst case when they respond to citizens in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. They are fast, well-trained and professional in their response. A GPS computer selects the closest unit to respond to an incident.

The 1st unit on the scene may not be an advanced life support unit (a unit with paramedics). Therefore, such a unit will also be responding. There may be several fire department vehicles on the scene for what appears to be a "simple" incident. However, in emergency services we have learned that if we assume something is "simple," we can be terribly mistaken. We respond rapidly and are prepared to encounter the worst. The winner in these situations will always be the citizen who needs help.

12. Why do you block traffic lanes at auto accidents, more lanes than are necessary?

We block traffic lanes for the safety of our personnel and our patients. Blocking extra lanes keep our personnel safe when they go back to our apparatus to get more equipment and help protect the victim we are trying to stabilize.

13. Will I be billed for fire or emergency medical services?

The Healdsburg Fire Department does not charge for fire or EMS services.

14. Will the department come out and inspect or replace the batteries in the smoke detector in the home of my elderly mother?

Yes. The Fire Department has a program to provide free smoke detectors and/or batteries for elderly or disabled residents. To make an appointment to have a detector installed, please call 707-431-3360.