When do you get to go?

[fireman-911]

In my old department, we got paged out on every call, even medical (one week of the month anyways)calls.

Now at my new department, we only get called out when absolutely needed, or at least I think that's how it works. I haven't been paged out yet... it's been 3 weeks.... They've had calls.... I saw them go by! http://img52.exs.cx/img52/7849/ambulance6zx.gif
(not sure why image won't work)
So, my question to you is when do you get to go?

[BCFFFV]

Most composite dept.s will have set guidelines for when dispatch will page the auxilliary firefighters. Usually it's only when absolutely needed. Because of the costs etc. When I was a volunteer guys would get mad because there was a car fire etc. right down the road from the hall. And nobody would get paged. The reason for this is that the full time guys could handle it. That's why they are there. If they need you they will have you paged out usually. It's not that uncommon to have spells like that where you can go 3 weeks with no calls.

[Scuba]

We respond to any fire, mutual aid, imminent death medical calls, MVC's with leaking fluids or entrapment, as well as delayed response ambulance calls.

[ndvfd_ff33]

We go to medicals basically on all calls except the real BS calls..We dropped down to Level II response(Nova Scotia)...Where we only went on Medics request or if the bone box was delayed 15+ minutes..May was the first month in my 5 years that we didn't send in a Patient Care Report...Having said that we're back up to Level III

[smoke286]

Is your Dept. paid on call? Is it possible thats why only some are being paged?

[mfdff10]

the only way were dispatched to a medical call is if ems request assistance. ie.. vic to big to carry, or awkward... etc..

[MFDFF33]

You name it and we go, only Med calls we get though is like #10 said Med assist, Other then that we'll get MVA's, Structure, wildland, SAR's, Boat Rescues, We are even the First Response to Pt. Lepreau.

[fireman-911]

Now, I do understand the fact that they might not need us on scene, but what about that next call that comes in & noone is at the station? If I remember correctly, they said that only 1 full-time will get paged on the call that they are responding too, but will respond to the station.

I know that it's not going to change anything talking about it here, but to me it makes sense that we get paged out & told to stay at the station....

[Toxic]

We are paid on call and respond to all calls - medical, fire, MVA, Hazmat etc... Our ambulance service is just far enough away to warrent our responding to all medical calls. We get about 100 calls per year but it's not unusual for us not to get a call for 1 or 2 weeks. On the other hand it's not unusual for us to be called out 4 or 5 times a week either. Usually that volume is in winter for MVA's.

[Brando]

The whole department gets paged out for anything and everything. The only time Ive ever heard it different is it its to check a carbon monoxide detector, then the driver and officer on call respond only.

[wulf]

All the usual, for medical it's chest pains, unconscious pt, trauma, poss cspine, or delayed response. Occasionally we get 'lift assist' for the </pc mode on > "morbidly obese" </pc mode off> in which case only the required number of pers roll. Invetigating illegal burns usually done by phone & one or two will go (common sense dictates - in certain circumstances more may roll) For MA, depends on if its specific apparatus or manpower that's required
Other than that, everyone rolls unless/until 'enough firefighters' or standown is called. Part of that is the distances involved in our district - a lot of driving 'around' lakes to get a short crow-flies distance, which means you can't wait until an on-scene report to decide what's needed. I recall hearing of a 'medical, broken leg' call in another department, turned out the reason the individual broke his leg was he jumped from his burning house....you never know what you got till you get there....
Be Safe
R

[firemedicbern]

The whole department gets paged out for anything and everything.
This goes for us aswell.
We run both First Response and Fire out of our hall. The fire guys help the first response if needed and the first response guys are obviously there for the fire guys.

[dave5171]

We get called to everything, if you dial 911 in my area we get dispatched even if it's unknown what the problem is. Unknown 911 calls we wait about a block though until Police arrive because you don't know if your walking into a gun or a knife. It is not abnormal for us to not get a call though for 2 or 3 weeks though our longest streach has been 4 weeks to the day. At the sametime weve gotten 2 or 3 calls a day before to.

[shaneb]

In my old department, we got paged out on every call, even medical (one week of the month anyways)calls.

Now at my new department, we only get called out when absolutely needed, or at least I think that's how it works. I haven't been paged out yet... it's been 3 weeks.... They've had calls.... I saw them go by! http://img52.exs.cx/img52/7849/ambulance6zx.gif
(not sure why image won't work)
So, my question to you is when do you get to go?


In Red Lake we are finally getting 911 service. We had all our zoning revamped and house numbers changed. I'm told once it is up and running we will be going to all the 911 calls. I don't know if that's true, we have no medical training or equip. I think it has been at least a month since we had a call! The Red lake hall get's on average 2-4 a month.

[fireman-911]

My wife and I have decided to move from Edmundston to St-Leonard and I've almost got in there! Now the worst thing is that they only get approx 20 calls a year I think... that's not a lot of call compared to what I'm used to! Almost 160 calls that I responded to myself!

[Squamish-FF]

Our department has 2 halls. My hall has everyone split into 2 companies. One company will respond for 2 weeks and then the second. If you are "off" company you may still get a call if it gets real busy or it is a big fire.(similar to a multiple alarm)

At night and weekends if the call originates in our district, the page goes out for the company on call. All available FF's respond and are paid. The first due truck leaves and then the others stand by at the hall incase any more trucks are needed.

If the call comes in during the day, the company on call page goes out but the F/T guys take the truck out immediately if they are all at the hall(some aren't as they do fire prevention duties as well)and the rest of the paid on call show up and standby or jump in with the F/T guys to fill the first truck.(This happens very quick so the first truck is still out the door almost as fast as all F/T)

Regardless of F/T or not , day or night, our paid on call staff are paged out and paid.

I believe that is what you were asking.

We respond to approximately 400-450 calls a year between 2 halls and very few are medical calls. We only do MVA's,Cardiac Arrests,lift assists(occasionaly)and when BCAS will be delayed to the call.

Our department is composite but it relies heavily on the paid on call staff.(55 poc)