FAQs
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Why do you send a fire engine along with an aid unit to a medical emergency? [+]
Why do fire trucks go through town with lights & sirens sometimes and other times they seem to drive normal? [+]
Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in roof during a fire? [+]
Why do you block traffic lanes at auto accidents, sometimes more lanes than necessary? [+]
Why am I not supposed to drive over a fire hose? [+]
Can you get my cat out of a tree? [+]
Enumclaw Fire Department is not able to rescue cats trapped in trees, however, we can point you in the right direction. Canopy Cat Rescue is a professional cat rescue that specifies in rescuing cats stuck in trees!
Canopy Cat Rescue
Shaun Sears, Certified Arborist
Cell: 253-324-0524
Tom Otto, Certified Arborist
Cell: 360-239-8982
email: canopyconservation@gmail.com
For more information regarding domestic animals please contact Regional Animal Services of King County at 206-296-PETS (7387).
What if I smell gas in my home? [+]
If you smell a strong odor of gas-Get out of the house immediately!! Do not turn any electrical switches on or off, use a flashlight, or the telephone. An electric spark from any electrical or battery-powered device or even from static electricity could ignite a gas leak and cause an explosion. Call 911 from a neighbor’s house as soon as possible. Never try to locate the source of a gas leak yourself. Even if the smell of gas is faint, don’t take any chances. Leave the house and call 911.
What kind of fire extinguisher should I buy for my home? [+]
Homeowners should buy an extinguisher that can handle class A-B-C fires. This type of extinguisher is designed to extinguish fires that usually occur in homes including wood, paper, flammable liquids, and electrical fires. Fire extinguishers should be installed where the potential fire risk is greatest in the home. A Multi-Purpose A-B-C Dry Chemical fire extinguisher should be installed in the kitchen, laundry, workshop, garage and the top of the basement stairwell in a home. Extinguishers should never be more than 75 feet away from a Class A (ordinary combustibles) hazard, or further than 50 feet away from a Class B (flammable liquids) hazard.
If there is a fire and you choose to use an extinguisher to fight it, remember P.A.S.S.-Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger and Sweep back and forth until it is extinguished. Only fight a fire that isn’t yet large and always have an exit at your back so you can escape if the fire does not go out. If the fire does not go out, back out, close the door and call 911.
Why do firefighters work 24-48 hour shifts? [+]
Why do I see firefighters at stores while they are working? [+]
Firefighters work a 24 hour shift and must remain in the station or in a fire department vehicle available for emergency response at all times. Therefore, all of the firefighter’s meals are eaten while remaining ready to respond. Firefighters, using their own money, are permitted to go to the store during the day to purchase items needed for these meals. Many other times Enumclaw Fire Department vehicles are at local businesses on official business such as inspections, performing training or education, or even answering questions or complaints. There are many public services performed by your fire department on a daily basis.
Finally, firefighters also routinely shop for needed fire department supplies and equipment. Take advantage of this opportunity to interact with the firefighters and ask questions. Please don’t be offended if they have to leave on a call, in a rush!
What other responsibilities do firefighters have other than fighting fires? [+]
Emergency calls represent only a narrow percent of the work in a typical day at Enumclaw Fire Department. The number of residential and commercial fires has steadily decreased over the years due to a variety of factors including improvements in construction, a greater public awareness of the risk factors leading to fires and a significant reduction in smoking, nationwide. Fires, however, are only some of the emergencies to which the fire department responds. Eighty percent (80%) + of the Fire Department’s emergency responses are, in fact, calls for medical aid including illnesses and injuries at home and work and injuries resulting from vehicle accidents. Other calls for emergency response involve hazardous materials responses, technical rescues, response to fire alarms, and other calls for public assistance. Firefighters also spend much of their time training for all types of emergency responses, maintaining equipment, teaching fire and life safety to the public and filling out the reports and paperwork associated with these activities.
What should I do when I see or hear an emergency vehicle coming towards me when I’m driving? [+]
My smoke detector is chirping, what does that mean? [+]
How often should I change the batteries in my smoke detectors? [+]
Does the Fire Department fill or service fire extinguishers? [+]
Can I ride along with the Fire Department? [+]
How much does an ambulance ride to the hospital cost? How about a Fire Truck responding to a fire? [+]
How do I sign up for a First Aid or CPR class? [+]
How do I submit a question? [+]
Click on the Contact tab at the top of the page and follow the prompts. Or call 360-825-5544.
Does the fire department take needles for disposal? [+]
Enumclaw Fire Department does not take needles for disposal. King County residents can go to the King County website for more information on needle disposal. Follow the link below for more info: King County Needle Disposal Info
Do I have to evacuate a building when the fire alarm goes off? [+]
What can I do with my unwanted/unused Rx medications? [+]
Helpful Links:
King County Fire Training Officers Association
Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs
Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
Washington State Firefighters Association
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration