I wouldn't say my knowledge on US fire departments was any good, but I believe that many operate a 911 Medical service too...Like the FDNY has a large number of paramedics in its service. Not unlike Germany where the fire stations also house the ambulances. Thanks.
Added by David Sapsford on 15 December 2007.
The idea of Ambulances on Fire Stations in the USA dates back to the early 1970's, when the Los Angeles County Fire Department introduced the idea.Many incidents very often required medical assistance, but fireman were only trained in general first-aid and so it was decided that some fireman would be trained in giving better first-aid assistence at the scene, and would operate from the fire station for a quicker response time then a private ambulance.Most towns would have a fire station, but very few an Ambulance Station, or a Hospital.As the years past, better proffessional training was given, and now nationally, many fire departments run their own Ambulance (Emergency Medical Team)Units.It must be said though that these EMT/Paramedics are not generally fireman, they are specially trained ambulance personnel.In New York City, the FDNY-EMS has now been although taken over administratively in the city by the Fire Department, its members are not firefighters, they are trained paramedic/emt employees.Also I should mention that in New York, Ambulances do not respond from firehouses. For more info on the FDNY/EMT look at Photo No..4937.....Pete M.
TheFireman, all I can say is this, "I luv that Mack mother in the center of the photo!" Pete, that's a lot of interesting stuff you providing there, thanks.
In my neck of the woods - smaller cities' and rural areas' Fire Departments often ran an Ambulance, as well - especially if Volunteer. Even, if separate services - they often co-habited, eg shared the Fire-Hall - made economic sense.
Often, people were Volunteers on both EMS and Fire. When a call came in - they would have to stop and think - to remember which truck to go out on......
Could be worse - in some country areas, the local Funeral Home/Undertaker ran the Ambulance as well. Some claimed this was Conflict of Interest. eg, if you were removed from a car smash, living, and transported to the hospital - they got $60. However, if you were deceased and pronounced so; they got $600 for transporting a deceased body, etc .....
Added by Jamie Calver on 15 December 2007.