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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q:
Why does a fire engine show up when I call for a medical emergency?
A:
Many times a fire engine will arrive when an ambulance is called because it is
the closest emergency vehicle to the scene. All people on the fire engine are
trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or paramedics; therefore, they can
provide whatever aid is necessary until an ambulance arrives. Many times the
nature of the emergency will require additional personnel.
Q: When I have a medical emergency, why do so
many people come?
A:
The number of personnel depends on what units are
sent to the emergency. The information given to the 911 dispatcher will often
times determine the number of units sent to an emergency. Depending on the
severity of the call, more EMT's and Paramedics are needed to provide expedited
efficient care to the sick or injured.
Q: My doctor wants me to have my blood
pressure checked on a regular basis. Do I have to pay to have my blood pressure
checked at the local fire station?
A:
There is no
charge for routine blood pressure checks. The fire department will take your
blood pressure at the station if you stop by. Blood pressures are taken when the
fire/EMS units are in the station and not responding to calls. The fire
department may not always have someone in the station depending on call volume.
However, blood pressure emergencies should be treated as an emergency and call
911.
Q:
Will I get billed for an ambulance?
A:
The answer is yes and no. If you call for an ambulance, but do not require
treatment or transportation to a hospital, then you will not get billed. If, on
the other hand, you require treatment and/or transportation to a hospital, then
you will get billed. The cost varies depending on the type of treatment given
while in the ambulance and the distance to the hospital.
Q:
Will my insurance pay for an ambulance ride to the hospital?
A:
The fire
department does not know what insurance companies will pay for. Life and death
situations are paid for by insurance, routine doctor visits may not be paid for,
only your insurance company can define your benefits.
Q:
How do I become a firefighter or EMT?
A:
Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training may be obtained at
any State of Florida Certified Training Center. For a list of training centers
and contact information
click here
Q: What are
the requirements to become a firefighter with the Orange Park Fire Department?
A:
There are a number of different requirements to become a firefighter with the
Orange Park Fire Department. For a complete list, along with other important
employment information, please refer to our Employment Information Page.
Q:
Already a Firefighter/EMT/Paramedic?
A:
You must still be certified in the state of Florida to be eligible for
employment with the Orange Park Fire Department. You may contact the following
organizations for information on challenging the state exams:
Firefighter:
Florida State Fire College
11655 NW Gainesville Road
Ocala, Florida 34482-1486
(352) 369-2800
EMT/Paramedic:
Florida Department of Health
Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C18
Tallahassee, Florida 32311-1738
(850) 245-4440
Q:
Who are the firefighters, and who are the EMTs or Paramedics? Do they do the
same job?
A:
The Orange Park Fire Department is only staffed with
firefighter EMTs or firefighter paramedics. The firefighter/EMTs are basic life
support personnel, but provide an important to the EMS function of the
department. The patch on their shoulder will identify them from the paramedics.
Firefighter paramedics provide Advance Life Support to patients that have
medical emergencies. These men and women can administer drugs, shock a heart
back into a life sustainable rhythm and is in charge of a patients overall care.
All Orange Park Fire Department personnel fight fires besides doing the medical
functions.
Q: What
kind of shifts do firefighters work, and is it hard to adjust to being away from
your family?
A:
Orange Park Fire Department is a 24 hour a day operation. This means that all
firefighters work a 24 hour shift. The y work 24 hours on duty and are off for
48 hours. This schedule runs 365 days a year with out changing. Your
firefighters are away from their families' 2/3rds of their time. They miss many
birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and special events with their families'. It
does take some time for all members to adjust to this type of schedule, but it
is more difficult to their family.
Q: Does the
Orange Park Fire Department teach CPR or First Aid?
A:
In the past the Fire Department taught CPR to many citizen groups, but
unfortunately this program is no longer available. However, the American Red
Cross continues to provide training and certification classes in both First Aid
and CPR. Call the Northeast Florida Chapter at (904) 358-8091 Ext. 1818, or
visit their Web site at
http://www.nefloridaredcross.org/shopping/start.php?browse=1
to register or for information on other health and safety classes.
Q: How do I
schedule a fire related educational program?
A:
The Orange Park Fire Department has a public education/Fire Prevention Bureau
office that will take requests for fire related programs. The Public
Education/Fire Prevention Bureau office will schedule fire station tours or
speak to different groups, ranging from the elderly to scouts to schools and
businesses, regarding fire and life safety. Please call (904) 278-2083 to
schedule your program. This office is open Monday through Friday 8am – 5pm. A
seven-day advanced notice is required in order to accommodate your needs.
Q: How can I
obtain a copy of an incident report?
A:
There are two different incident reports that are available: one is a fire
report; the other, a rescue report. A fire report can be picked up at the Orange
Park Fire Department, 2025 Smith Street, Orange Park, Fl. 32073. The information
you must provide are the date and address of the fire, along with a $3 fee. A
rescue report can be obtained by calling 1-877-252-9362.