Q: Were there any problems that came about after
switching to the new 911 System?
A: Yes, in the past we used a phone line that was housed
in our building with speakers to notify us of any emergencies: that system was
quick and efficient. When we switched over to 911, we no longer had a phone line,
but a radio signal and receivers that, at first, caused inadequate results; emergency
calls were delayed or not ever received. This dilemma continued for six months;
then, the system was replaced with a phone line that connected directly to the
911 stations. This change was crucial in creating an efficient response system
for the fire department. Now, dispatch from 911 calls has been nearly flawless.
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Q: Does the
Oswego fire department have any special squads or teams?
A: We have a scuba-dive team, a hazardous material
team, and a water rescue team. A specialized rescue team is also housed in our
department, which focuses on high-angle rope rescue. Another important crew is
the team of firefighters that visit area schools to teach children about fire
safety and fire prevention. We also have a F.R.Y. (fire related youth team) team
that counsels children that play with fire. This is a proactive approach that
focuses on intervention prior to a serious fire.
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Q: Why do
they always send a fire truck to a car crash?
A: There is ALWAYS a fire truck at a car crash because there
is always the potential for a fire; fuel leaks, battery damage, and other damage
to a car that could cause a fire. A fire truck is sent to all accident scenes
to ensure that the situation is not potentially dangerous to others. Highly trained
and experienced fire fighters are there in the event the victim needs to be fixtricated
from the vehicle. This requires manpower and specialized rescue tools.
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Q: Why does
it seem to take such a long time for you to arrive at a scene?
A: When someone is in distress, it often
seems like it takes eight to ten minutes for a fire truck to arrive at the scene.
In reality, our department averages a three to four minute response time to emergency
situations within the city. Every step of the process, from the time the call
is made, until we return back to the station, is recorded at the 911 center. Often
an emergency causes people to become very stressful and they don't realize that
our department is arriving as fast as we do because the chaos of the situation
has effected their perception of time.
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Q: Why are
there so many firefighters at a fire?
A: Because there are numerous tasks, such as rescue, ventication, and fire
suppression, that must take place simultantiously. Sufficient manpower is essential
to provide safety to our firefighters and to ensure efficient rescue as fire suppresion
operations.
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Q: What is
the cost of Oswego's Ambulance Services?
A: The cost varies: for standard life support, the cost is approximately $150,
advanced life support is approximately $295, and If the need for the ambulance
is outside of Oswego, the cost for use of the ambulance is approximately $390.
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Q: How are
"suspicious" fires dealt with?
A: First, the fire department sorts through a fire scene and eliminates any
of the natural causes of the fire: for example, electrical problems, cigarette
accidents, etc. Then, after our investigation to determine the cause and origin
of the fire, all information is turned over to the police department.
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Q: How are
hazardous materials dealt with?
A: We have a hazardous material squad, along with a vehicle fully equipped
with the appropriate materials for controlling a hazardous spill. The dozen firefighters
on the hazardous materials squad are a highly qualified team that will make a
determination of the hazardous incident, determine the appropriate clothing to
be used and what steps will be taken to contain the material and reduce the risk
to the public. A commercial company will be used for cleanup and disposal.
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Q: What if
I have a gas leak in my home? What do I do?
A: Get everyone out of the house as soon as possible and call
911 from a neighbor's house. Do not turn anything electric on or off. Alert the
neighbors and leave the immediate area.
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Q: How many
fire calls do you respond to in a year? How many are actual fires?
A: We respond to approximately 3,000 calls
in a year, several hundred of which are false alarms. Of the actual emergencies,
approximately ¾ are medical and ¼ are fires and rescue calls.
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Q: Why does
the fire department break the windows of locations that are on fire?
A: Safety comes first; we need to break
your windows because it will allow the super heated gases caused bt the fire to
escape while letting cooling air in. Therefore, we can reduce damage to the building
and provide relief to the people that may be trapped inside. One must always remember
that there is a threat to letting more oxygen in to the fire. If you open up a
door and are not prepared to apply water to the fire, a smoke explosion or backdraft
can occur. This dangerous explosion could threaten the building and the people
inside.
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Q: How are
dogs useful to the fire department?
A: Dogs are useful because they are trained to detect gasoline, alcohol, and
other accelerants. Samples are also taken from an area site and then sent to a
lab to detect the various compounds. Today's fire dogs can detect the presence
of eccelerants as accurately as labs, without the time lag.
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Q: How old
is the Oswego City Fire Department?
A: The City of Oswego's Fire Department has been operating as a paid fire department
since 1876, making it the third oldest paid fire department in the state.
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Q: Where can
I learn about the history of the OFD?
A: We have the John D. Murray Memorial Firefighter
Museum, which holds a variety of old equipment, pictures, and other interesting
artifacts that outline the department's illustrious past. The fire department
does plan to expand the museum sometime in the future.
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Q: Where can
I find out more informtion about the Oswego Fire Department?
A: For more information, Ed Geers can be reached
at 343-2161 or e-mail him at egeers@oswegony.org
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