Augusta
Fire Department
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a fire engine respond when I call for an ambulance? It is our department policy to send additional personnel on all life threatening calls; heart attacks, trouble breathing, possible stroke, etc. The additional personnel may be on an engine, truck or command vehicle depending on the type of call. These personnel assist the ambulance crew with equipment, patient assessment and transportation. Many of our personnel on these vehicles are also licensed paramedics. We will also send a fire engine with paramedics and equipment if all ambulances are busy on other calls. They can stabilize and/or treat a patient until an ambulance arrives.
When I call for an ambulance, why do I sometimes see an ambulance from another town or service? 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 of our ambulances are busy we will dispatch a paramedic ambulance from the closest available town or service. This mutual aid works both ways, therefore Augusta ambulances are commonly dispatched to the other municipalities.
How many fire departments does Augusta have? Just one! But, there are 3 stations within the City limits, Hartford Station (Headquarters) is located at 1 Hartford Square, Wells Station located at Bangor Street and Route #3 and Western Station located at Western Avenue and Armory Street.
Emergency lights and siren are used only when responding to a call. Apparatus responding to calls are frequently cancelled, 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.
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.
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.
Do you get cats out of trees / telephone poles / off the roofs? No. It is best to put an open can of tuna at the bottom of the pole and wait for the cat to get down on its own.
How do I get a copy of a Fire Report? Call the Fire Department at 207-626-2421. There is a fee for these copies.
I need a CPR course. Who teaches these courses locally? The Augusta Fire Department offers CPR Courses on a regular basis. If you are interested in signing up for the next class simply call 207-626-2421 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 all 3 Augusta Fire Stations any day of the week between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Can we schedule a fire engine presentation or station tour? Yes, contact the Fire Department at 207-626-2421 and we will be happy to assist you with your request.
Part
of the premium is determined by the strength of the fire protection
provided to your home by the City. 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).
How are members of the Fire Department hired? In order to be hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the City of Augusta, candidates must first take a written examination and pass a physical agility test. These examinations are offered every two years. Any inquiries regarding the hiring process should be directed to the City of Augusta Personnel Department (207) 626-2353.
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Send mail to jfarrell@ci.augusta.me.us with
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