Why does a fire engine respond when I call for an ambulance? It   is   our   department   policy   to   send   personnel   and   an   apparatus   on   all   life   threatening   calls;   heart   attacks,   trouble   breathing,   possible   stroke,   etc. The   follow   apparatus   may   be   a   tanker   or   a      brush   truck      depending   on   the   type   of   call.   These   personnel   assist   the   ambulance   crew   with equipment,   patient   assessment,   and   transportation.   Many   of   our   personnel   on   these   follow   crews   are   also   Red   Cross   certified   Emergency Medical Responders (EMR’s). When I call for an ambulance, why do I sometimes see an ambulance from another town? During   the   course   of   a   day   it   is   not   unusual   for   two   or   three   calls   for   the   ambulance   to   come   in   at   the   same   time.   If   all   ambulances   are   busy Kerrville   will   dispatch   a   paramedic   ambulance   from   the   next   available   town,   either   Harper   or   Fredericksburg.   This   Mutual   Aid   Agreement   works both ways, therefore TLVFD engines and crew are commonly dispatched to the other municipalities. What is the procedure for residents of Tierra Linda  to call for an emergency? ALWAYS CALL  9-1-1  FIRST  for Fires and Medical Emergencies. The Gillespie County Sheriff's direct line is:  1-800-735-0362 Why do I see fire engines or medic units go through intersections with their red lights flashing, and then turn them off? Emergency   lights   and   siren   are   used   only   when   responding   to   a   call. Apparatus   responding   to   calls   are   frequently   canceled,   or   the   first   arriving unit determines that the call is not an emergency and tells the units to respond in a non-emergency mode, or to return to their station. Why   do   firefighters   break   windows   and   cut   holes   in   roofs   when   the   fire   is   inside   a   building?   It   seems   that   they   are   causing   more   damage   than the fire. Fire   in   a   building   creates   a   tremendous   amount   of   heat   and   smoke.   In   many   instances,   firefighters   must   remove   this   heat   and   smoke   before   they can   get   close   enough   to   extinguish   the   fire.   Heat   and   smoke   rise,   so   cutting   a   hole   in   the   roof   and   breaking   out   windows   in   strategic   locations allows   the   smoke   to   vent   upwards,   allowing   cool   air   to   enter   the   structure   from   below.   We   call   this   "ventilation".   This   improves   visibility   and lowers   heat   conditions   for   the   firefighters   inside,   allowing   them   to   quickly   and   safely   extinguish   the   fire.   Remember,   heat   and   smoke   cause damage too, so ventilation will actually reduce overall damage to a building and contents. If I were trapped in a burning building, would firefighters be able to rescue me? This   all   depends   on   you   and   the   fire   protection   features   of   the   building   you   are   in   at   the   time   of   the   fire.   Relying   on   the   expertise   and   resources of   your   local   firefighters   to   save   you   in   a   fire   is   risky   at   best.   The   best   rescue   is   self   rescue.   Install   smoke   detectors   in   your   home,   and   check them   monthly.   Have   a   fire   escape   plan   that   includes   2   ways   out   of   each   room/home,   and   practice   it.   Learn   what   to   do   in   the   event   of   fire   in   your home.   Never   re-enter   a   burning   building.   If   you   panic,   your   chances   of   survival   decrease   drastically.   If   you   are   trapped   and   you   know   the   fire department   is   on   scene,   make   your   location   known   by   yelling,   opening   a   window   and   dropping   something   out,   or   calling   9-1-1   and   relaying   your location   to   the   dispatcher.   Stuff   bedding   or   towels   under   the   door   to   keep   deadly   smoke   and   gases   out   of   the   room.   Do   not   hide   under   a   bed   or table!   Stay   near   a   window   or   doorway.   Firefighters   are   taught   to   search   under   windows   and   doorways   during   rescue   searches.   If   you   are   on   a second   floor   you   may   be   able   to   hang   from   a   window   and   drop   to   the   ground   without   suffering   significant   injury.   This   option   should   be considered a last resort, when smoke and/or heat make the room you are in uninhabitable. When I see an emergency vehicle approaching while I am driving, should I always pull over to the right and stop? State   law,   and   common   sense,   dictate   that   vehicles   yield   to   emergency   vehicles   that   are   operating   their   emergency   lights   and   siren.   Emergency vehicle   drivers   are   taught   to   pass   on   the   left   whenever   possible   when   responding   in   an   emergency   mode.   When   safe,   slow   down,   pull   over   to the   right,   and   stop.   However,   there   are   circumstances   where   that   may   not   be   possible   (if   you   car   is   already   stopped,   and   you   don't   have anywhere   to   pull   over).   Simply   stay   put   until   the   emergency   vehicle   goes   around   you.   If   you   are   blocking   the   route   of   the   emergency   vehicle, and   you   are   able   to   pull   ahead   and   over   into   a   clear   area,   use   your   turn   signal   to   indicate   your   intentions,   and   proceed   at   a   safe   speed.   Never slam   on   the   brakes   and   stop   in   the   middle   of   the   road   when   you   see   apparatus   approaching.   Make   no   sudden   moves.   If   an   emergency   vehicle   is approaching   from   the   opposite   direction,   you   should   pull   over   and   stop. You   have   no   idea   if   they   are   proceeding   down   the   road,   or   are   planning on   turning   into   a   driveway   or   intersection   right   in   front   of   you.   You   are   not   required   to   slow   down   or   pull   over   for   emergency   vehicles   that   are responding   in   the   opposite   direction   on   a   divided   highway.      Do   not   tailgate,   "draft",   or   follow   a   responding   apparatus   closely.         Not   only   is   this illegal, you run the risk of collision as vehicles pull back out into traffic after the emergency vehicle goes by. How do I get a copy of a Fire Report? Call the Chief Ed Marker at 830-896-5270. I need a CPR course. Who teaches these courses locally? The   Tierra   Linda   Volunteer      Fire   Department   does   not   offer   CPR   Courses   on   a   regular   basis.      If   you   are   interested   in   signing   up   for   a   class simply call your local Red Cross at 830-257-4677 and ask to be put on the CPR class list. You will be notified when the next class will be offered. Where can I get my blood pressure checked? Blood pressure testing is done at most drug stores in the Kerrville area. Can we schedule a fire engine presentation or station tour? Yes, contact the Fire Chief at 830-896-5270 and he will be happy to assist you with your request. How does the strength of fire protection in your community affect your homeowners insurance policy premium? Part   of   the   premium   is   determined   by   the   strength   of   the   fire   protection   provided   in   your   local   area.   The   quality   of   fire   protection   for   a   given   area is   determined   by   an   organization   sponsored   by   the   insurance   industry.      This   organization   is   known   as   the   ISO.      ISO   grades   fire   protection   for   an area on a 1-10 grading system (1 being the best). I recently received a letter asking for a donation that benefits my local Fire Department. Where do other donations come from? The   Tierra   Linda   Volunteer   Fire   Department   derives   most   of   our   operating   budget   from   solicited   donations   of   local   residents   and   surrounding businesses. Other Department funding comes from contracts with Gillespie County and Kerr County.