In 2006 fire personnel responded to over 2241 calls for assistance. Most of these calls were responded to in less than 5 minutes.

Here are some ways you can help the fire department help you during an emergency.

• A fire
• A serious crime
• Any serious medical condition
• Any situation requiring immediate response of Police, Fire or Emergency Medical Personnel.

What the 9-1-1 Operator Will Need to verify:

• Address of the emergency
• Phone number you are calling from
• Nature of the emergency
• Stay calm, speak clearly, be prepared to answer questions, receive instructions and stay on the phone until you are told to hang up!

Emergency Vehicles and You:
When an emergency vehicle has its lights and siren on, it is responding to an emergency. It is YOUR responsibility to:

• Pull to the right side of the road and STOP until the emergency vehicle has passed.
• Give all emergency vehicles the right-of-way.
• Keep back at least 500 feet from an emergency vehicle when it is responding with lights and sirens.
• Do not drive over fire hoses.
• Drive carefully around an emergency scene.

At the Emergency:

• Have someone wait at the street to direct the fire and police departments to the emergency.
• If you are a witness to the emergency, stay at the scene to provide emergency personnel with information.
• If you are asked to move or leave the area, DO IT! The firefighters and police officers are looking out for your safety.
• Remember, things can become very hectic in an emergency. Firefighters and police officers need to do their job in a safe way.

Some Other Tips:

• Make sure your address is visible from the street.
• Keep areas around fire hydrants clear of parked cars, fences, bushes, tall weeds and debris.
• Keep bushes, trees, grass and weeds cut or trimmed to avoid the chance of brush fires.
• If you have security bars on your windows, make sure they are fitted with inside quick releases.