Q. Why did Heartland communities combine emergency services?
A. Cooperation among the eight areas means greater economy and efficiency of services.  Your elected officials want the fullest possible protection for their areas, but they realize that a single community could never afford such a progressive system.
Your tax dollars are wisely invested in this network.  The team approach to emergency response is an excellent example of the special agreement in Heartland called "automatic aid."  The closest engine responds, regardless of jurisdiction.  At the same time, other departments are alerted to protect the neighborhood left by the "visiting" crew.
When you see fire crews from another jurisdiction battling a multi-alarm blaze in your area, be assured that is the smartest way to use equipment and personnel.  Communities without automatic aid agreements would be forced to hire many more firefighters and to own and maintain more equipment.

Q. When should I call 9-1-1?

A.	Any life-threatening situation A fire of any type Traffic accidents where injury occurred A smoke or fire alarm is ringing A crime in progress A medical emergency

If you're not sure, call anyway.  Our highly trained dispatchers will ask the right questions and make the decision.

Q. Should I call a nearby fire department or the Operator instead of 9-1-1?
A. 9-1-1 is your local emergency system!  One call puts you in touch instantly with the correct agency.  Other calls may delay the help you need.

Q. Why does a big fire truck go to the scene of a medical emergency?  Why not an ambulance?
A. You're emergency network depends on "first responders," who know how to stabilize and protect a patient until an ambulance arrives.  Every moment matters in a life-threatening emergency, so the closest people and equipment respond first.  Usually the nearest source for help is the neighborhood fire station, so firefighters answer the call.
For continued public safety, firefighters always drive a fully-equipped truck to scene of the medical crisis because they may be required to drive immediately to a fire.

Q. Why did firefighters chop holes in my roof?
A. Those holes act like a chimney to vent toxic fumes and super-heated air out of the house so firefighters can enter safely.  Without holes, a house could even explode.
A little known fact is that fire crews apply a temporary patch over the holes before leaving the site if the water is rainy.  That helps to prevent continuing damage to the building's contents.

Q. Are you going to charge us for putting out our fire?
A. The bill was paid by your tax dollars.  The only exceptions may be a fee for multiple false alarms, or negligent or malicious acts.

Q. Why are some fire trucks red while others are green, yellow, or white?
A. Individual fire departments can choose to paint their trucks from any of several highly visible colors.

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