Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do you send a fire truck along with an ambulance (Medic Unit) to a medical emergency?
All fire companies have first responder personnel and can get help to you more quickly. The Medic Unit will provide transportation to an emergency room, depending on the nature of the call. All members of the Cincinnati Fire Department are certified Emergency Medical Technician or Certified paramedics. All fire companies are staffed with at least one paramedic on board.
2. 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 lets firefighters to get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduce the chances of a backdraft explosion.
3. Why do you block traffic lanes at auto accidents -- more lanes than are necessary?
It's 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 it helps protect the victim we're trying to stabilize.
4. Why do firefighters get upset when you drive over fire hoses?
The fire hose is the lifeline of a firefighter when fighting a fire. If you drive over it, the hose can be damaged, and any firefighter at the end of a nozzle will have the water interrupted -- possibly causing injury or death.
5. How do you become a firefighter?
To become a firefighter, you must have certain qualifications. You can get a list of the qualifications at Two Centennial Plaza, 805 Central Avenue, 2nd Floor, or call the Human Resources Department at 513-352-2400. For information on future recruiting efforts, contact the Fire Department Recruiting Officer at 513-352-1684.
6. Why do firefighters keep weeds and bushes away from fire hydrants?
Firefighters keep weeds and bushes 3 feet from fire hydrants for visibility and accessibility.
7. How do you get a smoke detector from the Fire Department?
By calling our Fire Prevention Bureau at 513-357-7595 or email us at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/fire/fire-prevention/fire-prevention-forms/
8. What number do you call for a fire inspection?
Call our Fire Prevention Bureau at 513-357-7597 or email us at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/fire/fire-prevention/fire-prevention-forms/
9. Why is it illegal to burn leaves and brush on my property?
Ohio EPA strictly regulates and prohibits open burning outdoor.
10. Why do firefighters’ shop at the local grocery stores?
Firefighters work a 24-hour shift and must supply their own food. They combine their money to purchase food for meals. Often, you will see them at a grocery store in a fire engine. The only way the Cincinnati Fire Department can ensure that four firefighters will respond and arrive in an average of less than 4 minutes is by using the vehicle they respond in -- with all four firefighters present and available. Sometimes they receive a call while shopping for food, which means they leave directly from the grocery store and must come back later to finish their grocery shopping.
11. Why does my water turn brown when firefighters turn fire hydrants on?
We inspect 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.
12. What should I do if I am unable to pay my ambulance (Medic Unit) bill?
You can contact the EMS Billing Office at 513-352-4895 if you would like to arrange a payment plan.
If you would like to apply for financial assistance, complete the Financial Aid Form (Spanish version) and forward the Financial Aid Form with the requested information to this address:
- CINCINNATI FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS BILLING
ATT: Financial Aid
430 Central Ave 2nd Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
If you are not sure whether you qualify for financial aid, our discount policy is outlined in Administrative Regulation 67. You can find the income guidelines on the Sliding Fee Schedule.
13. How can I obtain a copy of the bill or the report for my transport?
Complete the attached HIPAA release form and mail it to this address:
- CINCINNATI FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS BILLING
ATT: EMS Billing And Reports
430 Central Ave 2nd Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
You may also fax your request to 513-352-1548: Attention EMS BILLING AND REPORTS
Financial Assistance Application Spanish
14. How do I obtain a copy of the fire report after having a fire at my property?
Call the Fire Prevention Bureau – 513-357-7595
15. How can I schedule a fire truck to attend my community or school event?
Call the Suppression Management Office – 513-564-1743 to schedule.
16. Firefighters arrived at my home, and they are wearing a different kind of mask even though I told them I am vaccinated, why is that?
The mask that the firefighters are wearing is different than most mask. We call it a P100 particulate mask, and it has many applications for us. We like it because we can change the filters and continue its use, making us good stewards of city resources.
As a policy, we require its use to provide maximum security for the people we treat. The fire department wants to ensure, that with presence of variants we are not the cause for additional spread of the virus. When worn properly it has proved to be a safeguard for our members and the citizens we care for.
17. Why do so many fire trucks respond when we call 911?
In the business of emergency response time is of the essence. We pursue a goal of arriving in as few minutes as possible for any emergency. Especially with fire since it doubles inside with each minute while the fire department responds. Sending multiple units ensures quick arrival to the scene so that the fire fighters can begin extinguishing the fire.
Once that process is started many times other responding units are returned to service. As well, an actual fire is very dangerous. The robust response ensures our members can perform the task of extinguishment in the safest way possible. That response is always under constant review and subject to adjust as circumstances change.
18. Are there other ways to contact 911, other that calling on the phone?
Yes, the City of Cincinnati participates in a product called text-to-911