FAQ
Emergency Response
Why send multiple vehicles to a fire?
Each fire truck carries a specific complement of equipment and personnel. There are a number of specialized roles that firefighters undertake at the scene of a fire, and firefighting is a very labor-intensive activity. Firefighters must be rotated out periodically in order to change out air bottles and physically rest to maintain the ability to work on the fireground.
For this reason, it is essential to have enough firefighters on the scene of an incident so that our personnel can adequately recover between assignments. Even a small fire can be unpredictable and can become large and out of control quickly unless sufficient resources are available.
More Answers About Emergency Response
Emergency Response
Why use lights and sirens at night?
The purpose of emergency warning equipment is to let drivers and pedestrians know that an emergency vehicle is on the way to an emergency. Texas state law as well as our standard operating procedures require that our drivers utilize emergency warning equipment during emergency response regardless of the time of...
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Emergency Response
What should I do when approached by emergency vehicles?
When you notice an approaching emergency vehicle, immediately pull to the right and stop. If you are approaching an intersection and see an emergency vehicle that is approaching the intersection from behind you or another direction, come to a stop, preferably one or two car lengths back from the intersection if possible...
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Emergency Response
When should I call 911 vs. non-emergency?
Call 911 for emergencies requiring immediate response:Fire, smoke, or smell of gasMedical emergencies (chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, unconsciousness)Vehicle accidents with injuriesAny situation requiring police, fire, or ambulance immediatelyCall our non-emergency number (817) 295-9539 for:General questions about our servicesStation tours or community eventsNon-urgent requests (blood pressure checks, smoke detector...
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Smoke Alarms Cut Your Risk in Half
Working smoke alarms reduce your risk of dying in a home fire by roughly 50%. Test your alarms monthly, replace batteries at least once a year, and replace the entire unit every 10 years. If you hear that chirping sound, change the battery immediately — do not ignore it.
Close Your Door Before Bed
Keeping your bedroom door closed while you sleep can hold back flames and toxic smoke for several minutes, giving you critical extra time to escape. A closed door can mean the difference between a survivable and unsurvivable room temperature during a house fire.