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1. Does the Fire Department have Paramedic service?

Yes. There are four paramedic ambulances that transport to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates and Advocate Sherman and Provena St. Joseph Hospitals in Elgin.

2. Where are the Fire stations?

• Station 91 (HEADQUARTERS) - 213 Spring Street
• Station 92 - 305 Lake Marian Road
• Station 93 - 5000 Sleepy Hollow Road

3. I see the Carpentersville Fire apparatus in other towns, why is that?

The Carpentersville Fire Department receives and provides assistance to neighboring towns. The department is also a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm system and can be called to assist any fire department in the area as well as receive assistance when needed.

4. Why do the fire trucks sometimes turn lights off and turn around?

For any reported structure fire, there are numerous pieces of equipment that respond. If fire equipment on the scene does not need additional help, they will cancel the response for other equipment and the fire trucks en-route will turn off their lights and return to the station.

5. What are the flashing white lights on top of traffic lights when fire equipment passes?

The fire equipment and ambulances have a traffic control device on each vehicle that can change the traffic signals to green thus providing a safer and expedient response. The flashing white light indicates to responding vehicle that the light will turn green for them.

The other lights on top of the other poles give a steady white light to let other equipment that may be responding from another direction know that the signal is controlled by another vehicle.

6. How long should I keep smoke detectors?

The detectors should be replaced after approximately ten years. Check the manufacturer's recommendation when you purchase the detector. When replacing detectors, we recommend using 110 volts with battery backup.

Remember change batteries twice a year when you change the time on your clocks.

7. Where should I place smoke detectors?

Minimum of one per floor and outside sleeping areas. In new homes, we suggest upgrading to 110 volts with battery backup interconnected in each bedroom and in hallways outside bedrooms.

8. Should I have an escape ladder for my upper floors?

These ladders can be useful in escaping if your primary exit is blocked. Only use them if you cannot escape through the house. These ladders are different than regular ladders and you should become familiar with their use.

Remember to have an exit plan drawn up for the entire house and practice the plan.

9. Does the Fire Department offer CPR classes?

Yes, please view CPR program information.

10. Does the Village allow open burning?

No. The only accepted open burning is in an approved manufactured burn pit which must have all of the safety components in place and attended by an adult.

11. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 911 operator. A computer selects the closest units to respond. This will be either an engine company or a ladder truck company. In preparation for the worst case scenario, an ambulance often is dispatched as well.

There may be three fire department vehicles on the scene for what appears to be a "simple" incident. However, in emergency services, we have learned that if we assume something is "simple," we can be horribly mistaken. The winner in these situations will always be the citizen who needs help.

12. Why do I see fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?

As explained in a previous answer, sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, surveyed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control. All other responding units were canceled and put back into service, ready to take another call.

Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle responding with lights and siren through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been canceled from the call they were going on.

13. Why does a fire engine respond when I call for an ambulance?

The Carpentersville Fire Department believes in providing the best care in the most rapid method possible. At times, an ambulance may be at the hospital or on another call. Our fire engines are fully equipped with Paramedics and Advanced Life Support supplies to treat a patient until another ambulance arrives.

We also send a fire engine to assist an ambulance on calls where the information provided to the dispatcher indicates that advanced care may be needed. Emergency Medical Services has evolved to the point where almost everything that can be done in an emergency room setting can also be done in the field by Paramedics.

Many treatments and procedures require more than the two personnel assigned to the ambulance, thus warranting assistance from the fire engine personnel.

14. Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a building on fire?

This is called "venting the roof." There are two basic reasons for this practice.

Visibility & Breathable Air

Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. Unlike the movie versions of fires, it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment.

When a hole is made in the roof, the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise which makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft and flashover.

Fire Progress Assessment

Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic.

Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading through the attic.