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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Local Fire Department
How do you find out what/where your local fire house is?
It's been a year and we still haven't figured it out...and the neighbor we spoke to had no idea.
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Posted 2/11/08 4:39 PM  |
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LightUpOurLife
Totally in love
Member since 8/06 12785 total posts
Name:
Bonnie-Jean
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Re: Local Fire Department
Honestly, I don't know where mine is either. As long as they know where I am though.
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| Posted 2/11/08 4:56 PM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by BJandDan
Honestly, I don't know where mine is either. As long as they know where I am though.
True..but I just took an infant CPR class and the instructor mentioned that the local FD usually is the first to respond to any type of emergency and to check with them about who to call...them or 911.
But thanks for responding 
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:41 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by BJandDan
Honestly, I don't know where mine is either. As long as they know where I am though.
True..but I just took an infant CPR class and the instructor mentioned that the local FD usually is the first to respond to any type of emergency and to check with them about who to call...them or 911.
But thanks for responding
Always call 911. Are you in Nassau or Suffolk?
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:43 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by SweetTooth
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by BJandDan
Honestly, I don't know where mine is either. As long as they know where I am though.
True..but I just took an infant CPR class and the instructor mentioned that the local FD usually is the first to respond to any type of emergency and to check with them about who to call...them or 911.
But thanks for responding
Always call 911. Are you in Nassau or Suffolk?
That's not necessarily true - and we found this out in the CPR class. Sometimes the local FD will have you call them directly for a faster response time.
I have to call mine tomorrow also to find out!
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:45 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Local Fire Department
I believe regardless of where you live, always 911. The dispatchers route the call to the correct department.
Where do you live? Maybe we can help. 
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:45 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by greenfreak
I believe regardless of where you live, always 911. The dispatchers route the call to the correct department.
Where do you live? Maybe we can help.
That's what we thought also - but the CPR instructor specifically said to check with your local FD to find out if you call them or 911.
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:47 PM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by greenfreak
I believe regardless of where you live, always 911. The dispatchers route the call to the correct department.
That was what I thought but the instructor advised us that we would cut time off the response if we went directly to the FD. But we need to first make sure that the FD is the first response...if not then we would call 911. I need to call the FD to find that out...also if you let them know the date of birth of the child in the home and if there are any pets...they log it into a system so that if and when they have to respond they know who is there and the ages. If a child has stopped breathing they know the age appropriate equipment to bring right from the start...of course they bring the right stuff anyway but this helps the response time.
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:54 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Local Fire Department
The problem with that is that sometimes there is more than one department that could respond. In an emergency, 911 is obviously what people remember.
In theory, it sounds better. But I'm honestly surprised that someone told you that. I used to volunteer in a town that had a fire department, ambulance corps, or the police department ambulance respond depending on the time of day and who was "primary".
Not to mention, 911 dispatchers are trained to give basic information and help to people who call.
Regardless of what you do, I think you can get one of those Totfinder stickers and put it on the bedroom windows of where your children are.
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| Posted 2/11/08 7:58 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Local Fire Department
There were examples of stories (even people who were in the class had some) who called 911 - they had a busy signal for a LONG time and could not get through.
Also - the tot finder - she said they are no longer looking for the stickers since people basically move out - and never remove the sticker. If we notify the FD now of any children or pets they will have it on record.
ETA: Personally - I will ask the FD tomorrow who I should be calling in case of an emergency. If they say 911 - then 911 it is. I just want the fastest response - in case of anything - that's all!
Message edited 2/11/2008 8:02:51 PM.
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:02 PM |
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LightUpOurLife
Totally in love
Member since 8/06 12785 total posts
Name:
Bonnie-Jean
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Re: Local Fire Department
I do remember growing up in Massapequa we were instructed to call the 798-???? number first. I can't remember the number anymore. It does make sense about response time though.
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:02 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Diana1215
There were examples of stories (even people who were in the class had some) who called 911 - they had a busy signal for a LONG time and could not get through.
Also - the tot finder - she said they are no longer looking for the stickers since people basically move out - and never remove the sticker. If we notify the FD now of any children or pets they will have it on record.
ETA: Personally - I will ask the FD tomorrow who I should be calling in case of an emergency. If they say 911 - then 911 it is. I just want the fastest response - in case of anything - that's all!
Hey, maybe things have changed. I've been out of the game for a while. I do think it's worth doing your own research. You would tend to believe a CPR instructor but they can be just as wrong. I was a CPR instructor too. 
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:07 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Local Fire Department
Ok - well now I am confused. I called the Seaford FD - he told me I am actually part of the Wantagh FD - so I will call them next.
He said it could go either way. If we call 911 then you were right - they would be able to go through the methods with us on the phone as we talk to them. Now - something to the effect of if the ambulance is already out then they call the FD. I don't know - it was so confusing - and after that he pointed out that I am part of Wantagh. So - now I have to call them.
I felt rushed bc I didn't want to tie him up in case of an emergency. I thought I called the non-emergecy number - I didn't. UGH! Too stressful! 
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:10 PM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Diana1215
He said it could go either way. If we call 911 then you were right - they would be able to go through the methods with us on the phone as we talk to them. Now - something to the effect of if the ambulance is already out then they call the FD. I don't know - it was so confusing - and after that he pointed out that I am part of Wantagh. So - now I have to call them.
It's worth a call. I am going to call the ones closest to me and see what they say - also find out which one is mine.
I remember she said that in some places it was the FD and in others it was 911. Manhattan and Westchester are definitely 911 she said and East Meadow is definitely the FD.
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:14 PM |
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Diana1215
Living on a prayer!!!
Member since 10/05 29450 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Ang-Rich
Posted by Diana1215
He said it could go either way. If we call 911 then you were right - they would be able to go through the methods with us on the phone as we talk to them. Now - something to the effect of if the ambulance is already out then they call the FD. I don't know - it was so confusing - and after that he pointed out that I am part of Wantagh. So - now I have to call them.
It's worth a call. I am going to call the ones closest to me and see what they say - also find out which one is mine.
I remember she said that in some places it was the FD and in others it was 911. Manhattan and Westchester are definitely 911 she said and East Meadow is definitely the FD.
You are a good student. I was so all over the place - my mind was racing. I think I was worse off after she left - with all the "KNOWLEDGE" I now have of what can happen. 
It took me until midday today to stop freaking out!
Message edited 2/11/2008 8:18:07 PM.
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:17 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Local Fire Department
That's interesting. The ambulance corps I volunteered for was Wantagh Levittown. Back then, there were always fights between us and the FD about who was primary, secondary, etc. I believe if you are north of Southern State, you are in the WLVAC district also.
Nothing against the FD but this sounds a little fishy. They could be trying trying to get emergency calls they normally wouldn't get by telling people to call them directly.
Hypothetical scenario - let's say that during the day when most volunteers are not available, the NCPD is primary. You call 911, you get them to respond, the NCPD is staffed with an Advanced Life Support tech - someone who could defibrillate you, give you IV drugs, the big stuff. This high level of care comes at a price - it is not free and you will get a bill aftewards that you can submit to your insurance company.
But if you call the FD instead, they will send out an alarm for personnel to respond to the firehouse. If a chauffer and a tech (who does not have to be ALS certified - they could possibly only know how to do CPR and basic first aid) do not show up within a certain number of minutes, they put out a second alarm. If they still don't get anyone, they have to call someone else to get help - perhaps 911.
The ambulance corps could be the same thing. But from 7pm to 7am weekdays and 24/7 on weekends, they have at least two to five people sitting at headquarters waiting for calls to come in.
I'm not telling you what to do - I've been out of it long enough to be not that well informed anymore. And of course, I'm biased. But you should know what the worst case scenario also.
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| Posted 2/11/08 8:26 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by greenfreak
Posted by Diana1215
There were examples of stories (even people who were in the class had some) who called 911 - they had a busy signal for a LONG time and could not get through.
Also - the tot finder - she said they are no longer looking for the stickers since people basically move out - and never remove the sticker. If we notify the FD now of any children or pets they will have it on record.
ETA: Personally - I will ask the FD tomorrow who I should be calling in case of an emergency. If they say 911 - then 911 it is. I just want the fastest response - in case of anything - that's all!
Hey, maybe things have changed. I've been out of the game for a while. I do think it's worth doing your own research. You would tend to believe a CPR instructor but they can be just as wrong. I was a CPR instructor too.
I just got out of the "game" not too long ago, and we ALWAYS wanted people to call 911. If you have a true emergency, more than likely your local FD or ambulance corps does not have a person really trained to handle an emergency call. Also, if the call needs to be dispatched to another department, you will be wasting a lot of time because then the dispatcher at the FD has to call medcom and now is just a middle man.
Also there were many times that someone would call the FD in an emergency, and where I vollied, the FD did not handle EMS. So now the FD needs to call the ambulance corps.
If you call 911 the call will always be routed to the right place and someone who is trained in emergency medical dispatch will handle your call.
Most likely the dispatcher at your local FD or amb corps cannot give you life saving instructions and get an ambulance on the road at the same time.
If you call the FD or amb. corps they will tell you to call 911 in an emergency.
Message edited 2/12/2008 9:15:28 AM.
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| Posted 2/12/08 9:14 AM |
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Ang-Rich
Beyond Compare
Member since 5/05 17988 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
I think that this all got confused. Diana and I were told to call our FD to find out if they had an EMS and if we call them directly or call 911.
We were under the impression that the FD would tell us what the proper thing to do was. We were instructed to call to find out because we were given the example where East Meadow's FD is equiped to handle all emergencies and their staff is trained...they get the 911 calls dispatched to them. So people there are supposed to call them first to save on the response time.
The rest of us were told to call our local FDs to find out if the same thing applied or if we needed to just call 911.
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| Posted 2/12/08 9:27 AM |
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Rieslinglady
LIF Zygote
Member since 3/07 39 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Ang-Rich
I think that this all got confused. Diana and I were told to call our FD to find out if they had an EMS and if we call them directly or call 911.
We were under the impression that the FD would tell us what the proper thing to do was. We were instructed to call to find out because we were given the example where East Meadow's FD is equiped to handle all emergencies and their staff is trained...they get the 911 calls dispatched to them. So people there are supposed to call them first to save on the response time.
The rest of us were told to call our local FDs to find out if the same thing applied or if we needed to just call 911.
It depends on the town you live in. In my town, Smithtown, they have certified dispatchers who are trained to handle emergency situations. They are employees, not volunteers. Smithtown dispatch handles calls from Smithtown, Nesconset, St James, Kings Park and Hauppauge. The next town over, Commack, this is not the case, atleast for the ambulance portion. The instructor was right to tell you to check with your local FD.
Also, good for you for taking infant CPR!
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| Posted 2/12/08 9:54 AM |
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tourist
Member since 5/05 10425 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Ang-Rich
I think that this all got confused. Diana and I were told to call our FD to find out if they had an EMS and if we call them directly or call 911.
Even if you do find out that you should always call 911 first, I would keep the FD number on hand. My mom has it on her phone.
She did have to call them one, when the hard wired smoke detector kept going off & the wall didn't feel hot & there was no obvious smoke, but we worried there was a something goign on in the wall. (There wasn't-it was just broken, but the FD said it was good to have them check.)
So for things like that, where it might be a problem, but your house isn't on fire--it's good to have.
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| Posted 2/12/08 12:58 PM |
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CathyB
Member since 5/05 19403 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
I don't know how to find out your local fire house, mine is up the road so I pass it all the time.
I am in Wantagh fire district and one of my neighbor's is NCPD. He told me to call the FD before 911, they are able to respond much faster that way.
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| Posted 2/12/08 1:35 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Rieslinglady
Posted by Ang-Rich
I think that this all got confused. Diana and I were told to call our FD to find out if they had an EMS and if we call them directly or call 911.
We were under the impression that the FD would tell us what the proper thing to do was. We were instructed to call to find out because we were given the example where East Meadow's FD is equiped to handle all emergencies and their staff is trained...they get the 911 calls dispatched to them. So people there are supposed to call them first to save on the response time.
The rest of us were told to call our local FDs to find out if the same thing applied or if we needed to just call 911.
It depends on the town you live in. In my town, Smithtown, they have certified dispatchers who are trained to handle emergency situations. They are employees, not volunteers. Smithtown dispatch handles calls from Smithtown, Nesconset, St James, Kings Park and Hauppauge. The next town over, Commack, this is not the case, atleast for the ambulance portion. The instructor was right to tell you to check with your local FD.
Also, good for you for taking infant CPR!
Yes Smithtown has their own dispatching and so does Lakeland. Commack does not for fire or ambulance. Still if you live in one of the districts that Smithtown handles, if you call 911 your call will be routed there.
Most FD's don't have dispatchers like Smithtown.
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| Posted 2/12/08 2:10 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Local Fire Department
Posted by Rieslinglady
It depends on the town you live in. In my town, Smithtown, they have certified dispatchers who are trained to handle emergency situations. They are employees, not volunteers. Smithtown dispatch handles calls from Smithtown, Nesconset, St James, Kings Park and Hauppauge. The next town over, Commack, this is not the case, atleast for the ambulance portion. The instructor was right to tell you to check with your local FD.
Also, good for you for taking infant CPR!
I had no idea that Smithtown had paid people. Do you have the dispatch phone number for me? Is it a non-emergency number? I live in St. James, so I'd like to get in touch and get the deal.
Thanks.
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| Posted 2/12/08 3:09 PM |
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MeNBobs
*****
Member since 4/07 3765 total posts
Name:
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Re: Local Fire Department
It is funny you posted this because today I was going through the mail. We had a letter from the Fire Department along with the letter were bright orange stickers. the stickers say (conveniently I have them in my bag) TO REPORT A FIRE or MEDICAL EMERGENCY DIAL 581-6553. The number for the Eat Islip Fire House. I thought it was weird to not call 911 but now after reading what you were told at the CPR class it makes sense.
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| Posted 2/12/08 3:44 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Local Fire Department
My husband works for West Islip Fire Department as a dispatcher and they are trained to take direct emergency calls. I guess it depends on the town you live in. My husband currently is a 911 operator and if anyone has any questions you can FM and I can help you find out who is best to call.
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| Posted 2/12/08 8:34 PM |
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