Note: This page used to be a part of the KIDS page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please email us at webmaster@amherstfirefighters.org if you have any other questions for us! Don't forget about our glossary if you have any questions about what you read.

• Ask your own question!
• Should I (or may I) approach a fire engine and firefighters if I see it in my neighborhood?
• If the power goes out will smoke detectors or sprinkler systems still work?
• How does a sprinkler system work?
• Why did the fire truck and/or ambulance come to my neighborhood but not have their emergency lights on?
• Why did an ambulance come when I called for a fire truck?
• Are you practicing when you are driving through town with your lights and sirens?
• Why do fire trucks and ambulances sometimes turn their emergency lights off?
• Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof of a building that's on fire?
• Why does the fire truck come when someone is sick?
• One day I saw fire trucks from another town parked in Amherst's station. Why?
• How many firefighters does it take to put out a fire?

• Q: Should I (or may I) approach a fire engine and firefighters if I see it in my neighborhood?
• A: It depends.
  • If the fire engine has its lights on, you should remain a safe distance from both the vehicle and the area that the firefighters are working. Often, there are a number of dangers on a scene. This includes motorists who might be trying to see the emergency and aren't paying close attention to where they are going!
  • If the fire engine does not have its lights on and the firefighters appear to be using equipment, working in a building, or some other specific task, then it is best to remain at a safe distance.
  • The best time to approach one of our vehicles is when it is sitting at the station. We are generally happy to say hello and show kids/parents some of our equipment if we have time, but please use caution when approaching the station. Vehicles may be coming or going at any moment.
  Please do not approach us when we are working at an emergency and ask if you can help. Be assured that we will call for more assistance if it is needed.

• Q: If the power goes out will smoke detectors or sprinkler systems still work?
• A: Yes. Smoke detectors that are wired into a building must also have a battery for back up. Sprinkler systems do not require any electrical power in order to function, so they should always work.

• Q: How does a sprinkler system work?
• A: Most sprinkler systems have water in the pipes at all times. There are some variations for special circumstances. When the sprinkler head reaches a certain temperature, the piece holding the head closed will break, allowing water to flow. Sprinkler heads may be designed to tolerate different amounts of heat, depending on where they will be located. Most sprinkler systems will sound an alarm and notify the alarm company if they activate.
  NOTE: Don't be fooled by television. If one sprinkler in the building is activated, it does NOT mean that they will all go off. That type of system does exist, but it is only used in specific buildings for specific reasons.

• Q: Why did the fire truck and/or ambulance come to my neighborhood but not have their emergency lights on?
• A: There are a number of reasons we might come to your neighborhood without our lights and sirens. Here are a few possible reasons, but there could be more:
  • Inspections: Routine inspections are done when houses are sold, business open, etc to make sure the building is up to code. If there are a limited number of people on duty, they must bring the engine and ambulance in case an emergency call comes in. After all, that is their main responsibility.
  • Street Familiarization: Occasionally we may drive around in order to keep up with changes due to road construction, see new developments, perform department business, train new employees, or simply refresh our own memories.
  • Non-Life Threatening Emergencies: Sometimes we will help residents with minor emergencies (example: a flooded basement) that do not warrant the use of emergency lights. Remember, there is some danger associated with using lights and sirens.

• Q: Why did an ambulance come when I called for a fire truck?
• A: All of our firefighters are certified to operate on both the fire engine and the ambulance. If information suggests that the call requires more manpower, the ambulance might respond with the fire engine to help out. In unusual circumstances (such as the severe storms in July, 2008), we simply did not have enough fire engines to respond to all of the calls that came in at the same time. Therefore, ambulances responded to various fire scenes to determine which of the pending calls was considered a priority.

• Q: Are you practicing when you are driving through town with your lights and sirens?
• A: No. If we have our emergency lights on, we are going to a real emergency! If we are not going to an emergency, we must obey all the same rules as the other cars.

• Q: Why do fire trucks and ambulances sometimes turn their emergency lights off?
• A: Sometimes there is more than one fire truck or ambulance sent to the same place if the call sounds serious. When the first firefighters get there, they might call the other fire truck on the radio and tell them that everything is ok and that they can go back to the station or turn their emergency lights off.

• Q: Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof of a building that's on fire?
• A: We cut a hole in the roof to let the smoke and heat out of the building. When we spray the fire with water, it creates a lot of steam that also escapes out the hole. By doing this, it is easier for us to see and work inside the building. It also helps to reduce the damage to the inside of the building.

• Q: Why does the fire truck come when someone is sick?
• A: In Amherst it usually doesn't. However, sometimes the fire truck will respond to a call for someone who is sick because the ambulance might be far away. If the fire truck is closer, it can start to take care of the person until the ambulance arrives. Also, sometimes the fire truck comes if the ambulance asks for more help. Our fire trucks are all equipped with first aid supplies and AEDs. All of our firefighters are also certified to work on the ambulance.

• Q: One day I saw fire trucks from another town parked in Amherst's station. Why?
• A: This is called "Station Coverage." When there is a big fire in our town and all of our fire trucks are sent to put it out, some of the fire trucks from our neighboring towns come to our station just in case there is another emergency in town. Sometimes they also come to help us fight the fire. Ambulances from other services also come to town and help when there is a large fire.

• Q: How many firefighters does it take to put out a fire?
• A: It depends on the type of fire. Three or four can put out a dumpster fire or a car fire. If a building is on fire, it takes a lot more. Most experts agree that it takes at least twenty firefighters to put out a fire in even a small house because there are many jobs that must be done. Big fires, like a fire in a factory, can often require dozens (or even hundreds) of firefighters. Forest fires, like the ones in California, can easily require hundreds of firefighters working around the clock.

Last Updated: 1.5.09