|
|
Why are your fire engines yellow?
Studies have been done and have proven that red fire engines are harder to see. Though more traditional, red fire engines are harder for the human eye to distinguish against other colors. Bright colors such as yellow or even lime green (recommended as the BEST color for fire engines) are easier for people to spot....especially at night. Along with colored lights and sirens, the color yellow helps draw attention to our fire engines and makes them more visible on emergency responses.
Are you a county fire department?
No. Humboldt No.1 Fire Protection District is a political subdivision of the state of California. HFD operates as a special district in the greater City of Eureka areas covering the unincorporated areas surrounding the city. Though HFD recieves property taxes from the county of Humboldt to help fund the fire department, HFD is not a department of the county of Humboldt.
If you are not a county department, who governs HFD?
HFD is governed by five elected officials that make up HFD's Board of Directors. The HFD Board of Directors oversee the fire department's budget under advisement from the Fire Chief and his staff. The Directors make the political decisions for HFD. Operations of HFD are handled by the Fire Chief and the Assistant Fire Chief.
Your webpage says HFD is a "combination department." What does that mean?
HFD has a career, paid staff of 18 firefighters on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The career personnel staff two fire stations with three firefighters per engine. The HFD career staff is supplemented by Volunteer Firefighters. The Volunteers respond to large incidents to help supplement the paid staff. The Volunteers undergo much of the same training as the career staff and can perform many of the same tasks as the professionals. Our volunteers are a very valuable asset to the department!
I want to become a career firefighter with HFD. How do I go about that?
Every two years, HFD conducts an open recruitment for
entry level firefighters. Persons meeting the application requirements
are invited to a three part testing process including:
|
Persons successfully passing the testing process are ranked according to score and are placed on a hiring list for a two-year duration. All hirings are made from the list. For more information, visit the "Employment" section of the HFD website.
I'm interested in CPR and First Aid training. Does your department do that?
HFD has a current program to teach First Aid and CPR through "Medic First Aid." HFD firefighters are able to teach at the fire station, or with prior arrangement, can come to you to conduct classes.
Regular classes are taught on the second Tuesday of each month. The price per class is $15.00 and pre-payment is required. Classes are taught at HFD's main station located at 3455 Harris St in Eureka. Class hours are 6 pm to 8 pm and there is a limit of 12 persons per class.
For more information, phone HFD's main office at (707)445-4900 Monday through Friday between 8 am and 5 pm.
What kind of shifts do HFD firefighters work?
HFD firefighters work a "48/96" schedule. Firefighters work a 48 hour shift (2 days). The on duty crews eat and sleep at the fire stations during those shifts, responding to emergencies all the while. After the firefighter's 48 hour shift, they are off duty for 96 hours (4 days). There are three "platoons" of firefighters to cover these shifts. Emergencies happen on holidays too, so HFD firefighters are on duty Christmas, Thanksgiving, and for ALL holidays.
Why doesn't your fire station have a fire pole?
HFD's fire stations are both one story, so a pole isn't needed. Interestingly enough, though traditional, most fire departments nowadays are shying aways from fire poles due to the potential injury to personnel.
How come on structure fires I sometimes see firefighters breaking windows, cutting holes in roofs, etc?
It may seem like firefighters are doing more damage than they are preventing at fires sometimes. However, the actions described have a purpose! During a structure fire, heat and toxic smoke are produced. By cutting holes in roofs and breaking windows, well trained firefighters can make the atmosphere inside the building more tenable for persons trapped inside and for fire crews attacking the fire. Well placed skillful ventilation can also help limit fire spread and smoke damage. This process is referred to as "ventilation."
Why do fire engines show up if someone calls for an ambulance during a medical emergency?
All of HFD's career firefighters and most of HFD's volunteers are trained to the level of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Due to the location of HFD's fire stations, a fire engine with medically trained firefighters is able to get to the scene quicker than the ambulance. Firefighter/EMT's are able to perform basic life support, administer oxygen, and even use a defibrillator for patients in need. Additionally, the Firefighter/EMT's are able to assist the advanced life support Paramedics on the ambulance with procedures on scene and during transport.
How come firefighters don't use a smaller vehicle to respond to medical emergencies like I've seen on TV?
Firefighters need to be prepared to respond to any emergency that arises at any time. If the firefighters are "in service" returning from a medical call, or are out conducting business and a fire call comes in, it expedites reponse to have the fire engine with them. Additionally, sometimes various special tools carried on the fire engine are needed at medical calls, etc. Keeping their "tool box on wheels" close at hand during travel enhances the HFD Firefighter's ability to respond to all different types of calls without delay.
|
|
Humboldt No.1 Fire Protection
District 3455 Harris St. Eureka, CA 95503 Phone (707)445-4900 |