Fire Department.
Frequently Asked Questions

• What do fire fighters do during the day?

• What to I do during a fire?

• Why are fire department emergency response vehicles left running when they are on calls?
• Why are fire stations so big?
• Why are fire trucks so big?
• Why did I receive a bill from Rural/Metro when I live in the City limits?
• Why do so many fire personnel go to the store?
• Why do so many fire personnel show up at a medical call?
• Why does a fire truck show up when I call 911 and request an ambulance?
• Will I be charged if the City of Maricopa Fire Department responds?

What do fire fighters do during the day?
A fire fighter's day at the City of Maricopa Fire Department begins with checking the equipment so that it is ready for an emergency. Fire fighters then have scheduled activities such as training, equipment maintenance, fire station maintenance, public appearances and station tours. Fire fighters cannot go home during their work shift so the station becomes their home for the 24 hours they are on duty.
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What to I do during a fire?
Should you find yourself and your home confronted with a fire, there are certain steps that should be taken to insure safety. These tactics vary according to the size and type of the fire:

• Use a fire extinguisher to put out small fires. If the source of the fire is not electrical or chemical, water can also be used to extinguish it.
• Do not try to put out a fire that is getting out of control. If you're not sure you can control it, get everyone out of the house and dial 911 from a neighbor's house.
• Smother oil and grease fires by putting a lid over the flame if it is burning in a pan.
• If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop, and roll until the fire is extinguished. Running will only make the fire burn faster.
• Sleep with your door closed. If you wake up to the sound of a smoke detector, feel the bottom of the door with the palm of your hand before you open it. If the door is cool, leave immediately. Be prepared to crawl - smoke and heat rise, so the air is clearer and cooler near the floor. If the door is hot, escape through a window. If you cannot escape, hang a white or light-colored sheet outside the window, alerting firefighters to your presence.

Why are fire department emergency response vehicles left running when they are on calls?
Today’s fire engines, ladder trucks and rescue vehicles have far greater energy demands then vehicles of the past. It is necessary for them to be left running for a number of reasons.
If a fire engine or ladder truck is involved in fire fighting, the engine needs to be running to power the pumps. Climate control and refrigeration protects and preserves sensitive equipment and medication. On-board computers and other electrical equipment also have constant electrical needs. In addition, emergency lighting requires a significant amount of electricity.

If the engines were turned off, the power demands would quickly draw down a battery and make restarting the vehicle doubtful. With critical response vehicles, where minutes and seconds can mean life or death, no one would want there to be a question of whether a vehicle will start. When these vehicles are in the station they are plugged into “shore lines” or power cords that supply the power needs without the engines running.
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Why are fire stations so big?
The modern fire station is designed to host a multitude of projects, programs, and activities related to fire and emergency services as well as community support. The size of the station is dictated by the number of personnel and vehicles assigned. For example, a station serving industrial areas will be significantly larger than the fire station serving primarily a residential neighborhood.
Because emergency personnel are on duty 24 hours a day, sleeping quarters and kitchen facilities are needed.  Additionally, much of the 150 hours of training required for each individual fire fighter per year is conducted in the fire station.  Fire station facilities are designed with props, equipment and available space to cover the many disciplines, tasks and evolutions required in the on-going fire fighter training program.
The largest part of a fire station is the attached apparatus bays (garage). This wing of the facility houses fire engines, ladder trucks, rescue units, and special operations vehicles. It also stores essential equipment and supplies to support the diverse emergency operations assigned to our rolling stock.
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Why are fire trucks so big?
Fire trucks are designed to respond to a multitude of risks.  They are equipped to respond to fires, emergency medical services, technical rescues, hazardous materials, and other natural and man-made events.

To efficiently ensure this capability, we have a myriad of equipment immediately available and strategically placed on our fire apparatus. This need along with the need to pump water and more importantly deliver highly trained professionals is what warrants their large size.
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Why did I receive a bill from Rural/Metro when I live in the City limits?
The City of Maricopa Fire Department will respond to any reported emergency that occurs within the City of Maricopa city limits and you will not be charged or billed for their response.
However, if you are any where within the city limits and you need to be transported to a local hospital for additional treatment, you will be charged by Rural/Metro for being transported in their ambulance. The only time you may not be billed by Rural/Metro is if you have a current subscription to Rural/Metro's ambulance service.

If you received a bill or if you have questions about a Rural/Metro billing situation, contact the local Rural/Metro business office.
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Why do so many fire personnel go to the store?
The City of Maricopa Fire Department emergency response personnel work a 24 hour shift.  During each shift, duty personnel perform many work and training related activities.  Additionally, and as time permits, they will also have a need to eat and sleep.

Fire fighters routinely prepare two of their three meals a day at the fire station, which necessitates visits to local markets. However, because duty personnel must be ready to respond to a call at any given time, crew members must always be in close proximity to their equipment and response units. Crews must also have the appropriate number of duty personnel available to ensure the promptest response to any sort of emergency that a citizen may face and for the protection of the firefighters.

The City of Maricopa Fire Department urges community members to ask questions and familiarize themselves with these first responders when they see them out and about in the community.
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Why do so many fire personnel show up at a medical call?
The City of Maricopa Fire Department utilizes Emergency Medical Dispatching protocols to determine the appropriate resources to send on calls for Emergency Medical Services.  This system provides for a series of prompting questions to the 911 caller and based upon the responses, the appropriate resources are sent.. In this instance there are a number of critical tasks that may need to be accomplished by the first responders. These may include:

• Airway maintenance
• Oxygen therapy
• IV along with chemical and electrical interventions
• Cardiac compressions
• Scene safety
• Documentation which utilizes the skills of all the pre-hospital personnel on the scene in this sort of emergency
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Why does a fire truck show up when I call 911 and request an ambulance?
To ensure the highest level of patient care is provided by Arizona State certified Paramedics, we utilize a priority dispatching system to send the closest unit to Emergency Medical Service calls. This provides for the prompt arrival of pre-hospital care to a person in need by pre-positioning emergency responders strategically in different geographical areas of our city.

Our apparatus serve a multitude of purposes and are designed to address all potential risks that exist in our community. To accomplish this prompt response a fire truck, ladder company or an ambulance is dispatched.
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Will I be charged if the City of Maricopa Fire Department responds?
The City of Maricopa Fire Department does not charge for its emergency response services.  Funding for these services is received from local government levies.
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