Ask the Fire Chief
Capital City Fire Rescue is a department in the city that is totally customer service based. The fire department receives some common questions all the time about what we do or why we do certain things. The days of old of hanging around the fire house waiting for a fire are long gone. Your fire department is extremely busy with training, emergency responses, emergency planning, equipment preparation, community service and responding to public requests. If you have questions about our services or want to learn more stop by your local station or call the department headquarters.
Why does a fire engine go to ambulance calls?
Fire engines and ambulances respond as a team. Complex medical incidents require several medics. As we move patients it reduces the risk of injury to the medic’s backs and to the patients. CCFR also receives several medical incidents at the same time and an ambulance may not be immediately available. Fire engines carry most of the same equipment that is available on an ambulance and are at times the first medical response.
What is the difference between a fire engine and ladder truck?
“Fire engines” carry hoses, water and are tasked with supplying water to put the fire out. “Fire Trucks” carry ladders and tools to ventilate buildings, conduct searches and rescues. They also have the large 75 foot or 100 foot ladders mounted to them.
Why do so many engines and trucks respond to a simple fire?
Each piece of apparatus has a very specific assignment on an emergency. There are also requirements of how much water and pumping capacity has to be on scene. Along with the initial fire attack there needs to be a rescue team to assist firefighters that get trapped or lost in a structure. There is also a command staff that responds to ensure a well managed operation with a safety officer and someone to account for all personnel so a firefighter is not trapped and forgotten about.
Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof and break windows?
Heat and smoke rise to the highest point in a building. Typically that will be the attic space. Black smoke is extremely hot, combustible, and explosive. Black smoke will spread a fire through the entire building in seconds. The only safe way to remove it, is to vent it through a hole in the roof.
Are all firefighter’s professionals?
All firefighters at Capital City Fire Rescue are professionals. The definition of professional has nothing to do with collecting a pay check. Career and volunteer firefighters receive the same training and are held to the same standards. Most fire fighters receive 200 to 600 hours of training per year.
Do firefighters live in the stations?
Juneau has two stations with a full time career staff that live in the stations and rotate on 24 hour shifts. The remaining three stations are staffed with volunteers. Currently all of our stations are staffed with volunteers that live in the stations and have assigned duty nights.
What sort of incidents does CCFR respond to?
Capital City Fire Rescue responds to all 911 calls that are not law enforcement related. We respond to fires of all types, public complaints on potential hazardous situations, fire code complaints, carbon monoxide alarms, fire alarms, medical calls, swift water rescue calls, low angle and high angle rescue calls, ice rescues, trail rescues, medical incidents, hazardous materials incidents or suspected hazardous materials incidents, open burning complaints, assisting people that have fallen or cant get up, public education requests, station tours, standing by at public events, fire investigations, reported unsafe structures, air medevacs, medical transports, airport and aircraft emergencies, boat and vessel disasters, and anything else that comes down the pike.
Do I have to pull over for a flashing blue light?
Firefighters displaying a blue light are responding to an emergency incident. These are usually reserved for structure fires, CPR, and major medical emergencies. The blue light is a request to yield the right of way to them. They do stop at all red lights and stop signs and make sure it is safe to proceed through them. We respectfully request the public yield to them, the emergency they are responding to may be someone close to you or you residence.
What am I supposed to do when an emergency vehicle pulls up behind me?
“Pull to the right for sirens and lights” doing anything else greatly increases your chances of being involved in or causing a collision with emergency vehicles. Regardless of your lane of travel; “Pull to the right for sirens and lights”
What can the public do to help emergency services out?
The number one thing people can do is to make sure there are addresses on all buildings clearly visible from the road. Address numbers are required to be a minimum of 4-inches. If they can’t be read from the road they need to be larger.
How many calls does CCFR respond to?
Capital City Fire Rescue responds to 3,400 to 3,500 incidents per year. 70% of these are medical related. We respond to approximately 100 fires every year with 12 of these actual structures.
Am I to old to become a volunteer?
We have no maximum age restrictions to be a fire fighter. We regularly see male and females join the department in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. This is a valuable demographic to the department. They bring a level of life experience that can not be taught in an academy.
Are there female firefighters?
There are females in the department at all levels such as Division Chiefs, paramedics, EMT’s and Firefighters. Males and females are treated equally and encouraged to join the fire/ems services.
How can I tour the fire station?
Contact our Fire Marshals Office during business hours to set up a day and time. They will ask which station you would like to tour, how many people and what type of tour you are interested in. We ask for as much notice as possible so the shift can plan around your visit. (907) 586-5322.
Can I stop my car and wait in a marked fire lane?
Fire lanes are not designed as loading zones or waiting areas. Obstructing fire lanes may result in citations. There are many reasons for fire lanes not just can an engine get past you.
Do I need a permit for open burning?
All open burning in Juneau requires a permit. Permits are available on line at http://www.juneau.org/ccfr/index.php Commercial businesses are not allowed to open burn by ordinance. CCFR does not regulate camp fires or small cooking fires.
