Show All Answers

1. Why did you send a fire engine when I called for an ambulance?

All Watertown Fire Department members are Massachusetts trained and certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). During a medical emergency minutes, sometimes seconds, count! The response of the closest fire engine to your emergency brings trained firefighter/EMTs to your home or business in minutes. Emergency life saving equipment such as oxygen, semi-automatic defibrillators, and other medical equipment are carried on these fire engines for use by trained firefighters. 

Additional staff on a fire engine also provides supervision and it is necessary to have additional trained personnel to assist in moving stretchers through buildings, carrying patients down stairs or when dangerous conditions are encountered. It is also necessary to have more than two people perform certain treatments such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation while moving a patient. 

At traffic accidents the fire engine personnel keep the area safe if there are fuel spills, fire and removing crash victims from vehicles.

2. What do I do after I suffer a fire in my home?

Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process. When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact. The United States Fire Administration has created a guide to assist those who have been a victim of fire (PDF).

3. Why is my smoke alarm making a funny chirping sound?

Any time your smoke detector goes off, it's important to pay attention. If it's sounding its loud alarm because it senses the presence of smoke, check your home thoroughly. If you smell smoke and are unable to locate a fire, call 911 and we'll send an engine to make sure that a fire isn't smoldering in a hidden area and it won't cost anything. If you don't smell smoke, the detector may be reacting to the presence of dust, steam, or a small insect or spider. Dust and bugs can be removed by a vacuum cleaner. If steam from a nearby shower is affecting your smoke detector regularly, move the detector to a different spot.

Replacing the Battery

If the detector is just chirping, thumping, or buzzing, it probably means that the battery is low. Replace the battery as soon as possible. Without a working battery, a smoke detector can't do its job and the risk of dying in a fire increases greatly.