1. Who is the Cincinnati Fire Division?

On April 1, 1853, the Cincinnati Fire Division became the first full-time paid fire department in the United States. Today's C.F.D. consists:

• 785 uniformed men and women staffing
• 26 Firehouses with 4 District Headquarters
• 26 Engines
• 13 Trucks
• 1 Heavy Resuce/Haz-Mat Unit
• 4 ALS Rescue Units
• 6 BLS Ambulances
• 4 Boats
• 1 Crash Rescue Unit
• and other special units

The total area protected is 77.2 square miles with 25 miles of riverfront, and a resident population of approximately 350,000.

2. Why do you send a fire truck along with an ambulance to a medical emergency?

Fire trucks have first responder personnel and can get help to your location quicker. The ambulance or rescue unit will provide transportation to emergency room depending on the nature of the call. All members of the Cincinnati Fire Division are certified Emergency Medical Technician or Certified paramedics.

3. Why do firefighters go out to check fire hydrants and do building inspections with fire trucks?

We maintain four members for safety reasons. We always have 2 people out while the first team enters the building in case we have people trapped before we establish our Rapid Intervention Team. We maintain the four people so everyone in the building sees any hazard or conditions that will effect the way we operate at an emergency.

4. Why do firefighters break out window and cut holes in roof during a fire?

Firefighters ventilate smoke and superheated gases for safety and visibility. This allows firefighters to get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduce the chances of a possible backdraft explosion.

5. What is the difference between an ambulance and rescue unit?

Ambulances carry Basic Life Support equipment and personnel are trained as emergency medical technicians to handle and transport people with minor injuries to the hospital. Rescue Units are staffed with certified paramedics and carry advanced life support equipment for handling serious injuries such as heart attacks, strokes, gunshot wounds, etc.

6. Why do you block traffic lanes at auto accidents, more lanes than are necessary?

We block traffic lanes for the safety of our personnel and our patients. Blocking extra lanes keep our personnel safe when they go back to our apparatus to get more equipment and help protect the victim we are trying to stabilize.

7. Why do firefighters get upset when you drive over firehose?

Firefighters are very much concerned about running over firehoses because the hose can be damaged and any firefighter at the end of a nozzle will have the water interrupted and possibly cause injury or death. (THE FIREHOSE IS THE LIFELINE OF A FIREFIGHTER WHEN FIGHTING A FIRE.)

8. How do you become a firefighter?

To become a firefighter you must have certain qualifications. You can obtain a list of the qualifications at Two Centennial Plaza, 805 Central Avenue, 2^nd Floor, or call the personnel department at 352-2400. To obtain information on future recruiting efforts, contact the Fire Division Recruiting Officer at 357-7501.

9. Why do firefighters keep weeds and bushes away from fire hydrants?

Firefighters keep weeds and bushes four feet from fire hydrants fore visibility and accessibility.

10. How do you get a smoke detector from the Fire Department?

Visit any firehouse to request one or by calling our Fire Prevention Bureau at 357-7593.

11. What number do you call to request a fire inspection?

Call our Fire Prevention Bureau at 357-7585 to request an inspection.

12. Why is it illegal to burn leaves and brush on my property?

Ohio EPA strictly regulates and prohibit open burning outdoor.

13. Why do firefighters shop at the local grocery stores?

Firefighters are like everyone else. We need to eat. We work a 24-hour shift and must supply our own food. We combine our money to purchase the food for our meals.

14. Why does my water turn brown when firefighters turn fire hydrants on?

The fire division inspects fire hydrants for proper operation. We turn the fire hydrants on to make sure they operate properly. We turn the hydrants on slowly so as not to stir up the sediment that is in the pipes, but at times the sediment does get stirred up and the water coming out of your faucet can be brown in color.