Auburn Firefighters

What is Fire/Rescue?

One of the primary functions of the department is obviously fire suppression. However, the true function of the department is protecting life safety first, and property second. The task of protecting life safety includes victim rescue, recovery, and treatment. This includes victims trapped in fires, water environments, hazardous materials incidents, confined space enviornments, etc... To better deal with these situations, the majority of the Auburn Professional Firefighters are cross-trained to deal with these types of emergencies. First, all of the members of the Local 4157 are firefighters, meaning they are trained and certified to suppress and contain any type of life-threatening environment, and to rescue any victims who may be trapped in that environment. Second, almost all members of the Local 4157 are at a minimum EMT-Basics. This allows for the members to provide patient care for a multitude of sicknesses and injuries, from minor abrasions to life-threatening trauma. Being Firefighter/EMTs, the members of the Local 4157 can initate patient care almost immediatley after reaching a trapped vicitim, which saves life saving time in a serious emergency. All members of the Local 4157 have been trained in open-water rescue, and several members are also certified public safety divers. All of the members of the Local 4157 have been trained to the Haz-Mat Operations level, and several members have also become Haz-Mat Technicians. Finally, several members have been trained in technical rescue, which allows firefighters to gain access and provide care to victims in difficult to reach situations. The role and responsibilites of Firefighters and EMTs continuously changes with the natural progression of mankind. The Auburn Professional Firefighters will always be training and willing to meet the demands of the future.

Why does a fire truck always go with the ambulance?

Across the country, the majority of fire departments dispatch fire apparatus as first responders. Fire stations are generally located strategically throughout a community, to ensure a quick response time. This includes medical emergencies as well as fires. An ambulance may be tied up in traffic, may be at a hospital, or may be unavailable to answer a call right away. Having a fire truck respond allows for quick access to medical care, and can mean the difference between life and death for some patients. The fire truck and the ambulance also work as a team. When a call is dispatched, what is reported and what is actually happening can sometimes be very different. The additional manpower aids the ambulance in carrying patients and equipment, performing CPR, and provides extra hands-on care for seriouslly ill patients.

What is the difference between an EMT and a Paramedic?

There are three levels of what are considered professional, pre-hospital medical providers in the State of Massachusetts. All three levels are Emergency Medical Technicians. They are EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, and EMT-Paramedic. An EMT-Basic can perform basic life support functions such as providing first aid, operating ambulances, performing CPR, utilizing AED's (automatic external defibrillators), and administration of some common life saving medications (such as epi-pen auto injectors, aspirin, and albuterol nebulizers). An EMT-Intermediate can perform all of the functions of an EMT-Basic with the addition of being able to provide two advanced life support techniques. These are intravenous (IV) therapy, and providing advanced airway placement such as endotracheal tubes and rescue airways (LMA's, combi-tubes). An EMT-Paramedic is the most advanced level. EMT-Paramedics can provide all the functions of an EMT-Basic and an EMT-Intermediate and provide all pre-hospital advanced life support techniques. These include electrical therapy and cardiac monitoring (for cardiac emergencies), advanced vascular access (such as intraosseous lines), advanced airway placement (endotracheal and cricothyroidotomy), can administer a multitude medications, and can perform a variety of other life saving techniques. While the levels of EMT-Basic and EMT-Paramedic are common across the world, there can exist a variety of different levels of providers in between, depending on the state, country, and local regulations.