FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
We are always receiving
questions from the public about how we operate,
so this page will grow as time goes on. We will
try to include as many questions as we can into
our FAQ page. If you do not find the answer you
were after or the answer is not clear, please
feel free to
email us your questions and we will
respond as soon as we can. We may even add it to
our page.
You will see underlined
links throughout the responses on this page which will take you
to further information relating to your
question.
The huge
ladder truck and fire engines respond when the
call is for a possible heart attack, or a
non-fire related call. Isn’t that an overly
expensive response? Isn’t an aid car more
appropriate?
I was
experiencing chest pain, and I had my wife drive
me to the fire station rather than have all the
commotion a 911 call brings to my neighborhood.
Firefighters told me this was not the best
option. Why?
What do
firefighters do during the times they are not on
an emergency call?
I
called 911 when my mother had a diabetic
emergency. It seemed like they asked way too
many questions before sending an AID car? Is
that proper procedure?
If I
call 911, do the dispatchers know automatically
where I am?
Does dispatch know where I am even when I use my
cell phone?
How can I get CPR and First Aid Certified for
my job?
Do you have Pediatric CPR
classes?
My jobsite just purchased an AED
(Automatic External Defibrillator). Do we need
specific training on how to use it?
I have a whole bunch of stuffed animals I’d
like to donate to the Fire Department!
Do you do home fire safety
inspections?
I have an elderly neighbor who lives alone
and really seems like she is having a tough
time. Is there someone who can help? Can I
refer her without giving my name.
I’d like to become a volunteer firefighter –
how do I do that?
Do you have volunteer opportunities for local
high school students?
Do you have a
CERT
program? How can I get that training?
Where can I get information about outdoor
burning regulations in Shoreline?
Are beach fires legal at Saltwater Park in
Richmond Beach?
What if I have a legal cooking or
recreational fire at my house and someone
complains?
Do you do baby car seat and booster seat
checks? I am not sure mine is installed safely.
Do you have meeting rooms available to the
public?
The huge
ladder truck and fire engines respond when the
call is for a possible heart attack, or a
non-fire related call. Isn’t that an overly
expensive response? Isn’t an aid car more
appropriate?
Two firefighters are
assigned to each aid car. A full response for a
possible cardiac arrest requires up to seven
firefighters, including at least two
paramedics. Firefighters respond on the rigs
they are assigned to – so once they are released
from a scene they are immediately ready for the
next call. You may also see the ladder truck at
car crashes, rescues, and other non-fire related
incidents because it carries essential equipment
and tools needed at a variety of incidents.
I was
experiencing chest pain, and I had my wife drive
me to the fire station rather than have all the
commotion a 911 call brings to my neighborhood.
Firefighters told me this was not the best
option. Why?
Chest pain can be a
very serious sign indicating imminent cardiac
arrest. Our average response time for medical
emergencies is under five minutes. The time it
took your wife to drive you to the fire station
could be critical to your survival. Also, the
firefighters could be out on another call when
you arrive. Never hesitate to call 911 when
experiencing chest pain or other medical
emergencies. The commotion could save your
life!
What do
firefighters do during the times they are not on
an emergency call?
Despite what you see on
TV shows, fighters in Shoreline don’t play
basketball, watch TV or hold cooking contests
while on duty. Each shift has a rigorous
training schedule, and firefighters are required
to update their medical and firefighting skills
monthly. They also have a full schedule of rig
and equipment maintenance checks, inspections,
and community education duties. Firefighters
take charge of mapping, ordering supplies and
equipment, and making sure their work
environment is safe. Because physical strength
and agility is such an important part of the
job, firefighters often do strength and
endurance training workouts. All of the other
responsibilities are carried out between an
average of 17 emergency calls during a 24-hour
shift
I
called 911 when my mother had a diabetic
emergency. It seemed like they asked way too
many questions before sending an AID car? Is
that proper procedure?
Yes. The important thing
to know is that the dispatcher had already sent
a crew the minute you told her you had a medical
emergency. In the 4 minutes or so it takes the
AID car to get to your home, the dispatcher can
obtain lots of important information about your
mother’s condition and medical history and
convey it by radio to the responders. This
helps them prepare for the call, and perhaps
call for assistance from Paramedics and other
firefighter/EMTs. The best bet any time you
call 9-1-1 is to find a way to stay on the line
and communicate with dispatchers. Even calling
them back with updated information can be
extremely helpful.
If I
call 911, do the dispatchers know automatically
where I am?
Dispatchers will get an
enhanced 911 read-out on their computer screen
of the address you are calling from. It really
helps to be clear about where you are. Some
large buildings or complexes have a main
switchboard phone number – so you need to tell
them what building or area you are in.
Does dispatch know where I am even when I use my
cell phone?
No, dispatchers
do not see an address on their
screen, so you need to be specific about your
location. Even if you can only describe
generally where you are, such as a nearest
freeway exit, overpass or intersection, it
helps. You can always call back and update your
location information – or stay on the line and
have the dispatcher assist you. The 911 network
is a vital part of our nation's emergency
response and disaster preparedness system.
Upgrades in this network to provide emergency
help more quickly and effectively are constantly
being made.
How can I get CPR and First Aid Certified for
my job?
We teach CPR to the public on the first
Saturday of every month. See
CPR Information
for details.
Do you have Pediatric CPR classes?
Yes!
We have a new class called Tots and
Toddlers. It is meant for new parents and
includes basic household safety, infant and
child CPR/AED, and basic First Aid.
My jobsite just purchased an AED
(Automatic External Defibrillator). Do we need
specific training on how to use it?
Yes! Call us to schedule a class on using
your AED. It will be a combined CPR/AED class –
and you will get a certification card indicating
you’ve had AED training.
I have a whole bunch of stuffed animals I’d
like to donate to the Fire Department!
Fortunately, we have enough stuffed animals
and bears to last a very long time, due to the
generosity of our citizens over the years.
Also we can only accept brand new bears
that citizens want to donate. Otherwise, we
refer donors to agencies like Goodwill, Deseret
and other charities.
Do you do home fire safety
inspections?
We do not inspect or survey residences for
fire hazards, however
Community Education
is dedicated to
helping residents protect their home and family
from fire. Coming soon See our
Home Safety Inspection Checklist
for
eliminating hazards at home. Family fire escape
drills are the most important step you can take
to teach your children and others who live with
you what to do in case of fire. We provide
detailed information for you on this website or
you can call Shoreline Fire’s community
education specialist at 206-533-6500.
I have an elderly neighbor who lives alone
and really seems like she is having a tough
time. Is there someone who can help? Can I
refer her without giving my name.
Shoreline Fire and Police Community
relations officers may be able to refer your
neighbor to services for seniors in
Shoreline. It can be a confidential referral
if you wish.. Email
Community Education
or call 206-533-6564.
I’d like to become a volunteer firefighter –
how do I do that?
We are not currently accepting any new
reserve firefighters. To learn about how to
become a career firefighter, see
Career
Information.(link to our hiring info).
Do you have volunteer opportunities for local
high school students?
Unfortunately, we don’t have that kind of
opportunity for young people seeking
experience with the fire department, or for
school-required volunteer projects.
Do you have a
CERT
program? How can I get that training?
Yes we do. Please see our most
recent brochure.
Where can I get information about outdoor
burning regulations in Shoreline?
Outdoor burning is illegal in Shoreline, with
certain exceptions for cooking, camping, and
ceremonial fires. Complete information on
outdoor burning rules can be found at
www.pscleanair.org
or by calling Puget Sound Clean Air Agency at
800-552-3565.
ALL FIRES ARE ILLEGAL DURING DESIGNATED FIRE
SAFETY OR AIR QUALITY BURN BANS. Update BURN
BAN information is available on the
Puget Sound Clean Air
hotline: 800-595-4341
Are beach fires legal at
Saltwater Park in
Richmond Beach?
Only if they are in the designated beach fire
container, and there is no BURN BAN in effect.
The containers are metal circles, about 3 feet
in diameter. Access to the park is during
daylight hours only, the park closes at
dusk.
What if I have a legal cooking or
recreational fire at my house and someone
complains?
It’s always
illegal to smoke out your
neighbors. If they complain, you are required
to put the fire out immediately, and you could
be fined for causing a nuisance or held
financially liable for damages caused by your
fire.
Do you do baby car seat and booster seat
checks? I am not sure mine is installed safely.
Yes! For
Shoreline residents only. Call or
email Community Education to schedule an
appointment.
Do you have meeting rooms available to the
public?
Yes. Our three fire stations have
public
meeting rooms
available at a
nominal cost to the public for non-profit and
community group meetings.
Do have more questions you would
like answered or included on our page?
Email your question to us at
faq@shorelinefire.com
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