Many people ask why fire engines respond to emergency medical calls. The answer is quality of care! Yakima County Fire District No. 5 endeavors to give our citizens the best care possible and always provides the closest Fire Engine or Rescue/Aid to the emergency with competent, trained Firefighter/EMS personnel.

In an emergency medical incident, additional personnel may be necessary to treat the patient and prepare him or her for transportation to the hospital. This additional staffing enables the responding crew to simultaneously complete different tasks for the patient's care. By having additional EMTs on hand, the care of the patient is improved, and the preparation time before transportation to the hospital is shortened. The fire engine often remains on the scene for assistance, but is available to respond to another emergency if another emergency call comes in.

In the event that another call does come in and the closest ambulance to the patient is already on call, the fire engine crew can respond and begin treatment to prepare the patient for transportation before an ambulance arrives. The EMT on the fire engine is capable of completing these tasks because of the equipment that is in place on each fire engine. Every fire engine is equipped with basic life support equipment.

For further information regarding the emergency medical services provided by Yakima County Fire District No. 5, please contact us at the non-emergency number of (509) 829-5111.

Why does the Fire Department break windows and cut holes in the roof of a burning building?

When there is a fire, you may have seen firefighters breaking windows and cutting big holes in the roof. What they are doing is called ventilation. Ventilation allows smoke and superheated gasses to escape from the building. This prevents two dangerous conditions known as flashover and backdraft that could potentially kill firefighters or any other people still inside the building. It also decreases the temperature inside of the building and increases visibility so that firefighters can work more safely and effectively. While it may look like the firefighters are just breaking things, they are actually performing a critical task at a fire.

Why did I see another City/District's fire truck in District 5?

Yakima County Fire District No. 5 is a member of the Yakima County Mutual Aid System. This is an agreement that allows us to call for support, additional resources, and specialized teams if they are needed. It also allows other cities and towns to utilize our assets.

Do you provide and install smoke detectors?

We do have a smoke detector program. Eligibility for free detectors is based on financial need. We will gladly visit your home to suggest the best location for your detector. We also install your detector(s) and change batteries as necessary free of charge for the physically impaired, seniors, and other persons needing assistance. Contact Allen-Yakima County Fire District No. 5 at (509) 829-5111.

Do you charge for Fire Department services?

No. All fire department services are free of charge to citizens (with the exception of responding to a DUI). These include emergency and non-emergency incident response, smoke detector installation and maintenance, fire safety and fire prevention programs.

Who do I call in case of a fire or fire-related emergency?

For any emergency in the Yakima County area, you should dial 911. The Yakima County 911 Center, receives all 911 emergency calls for Yakima County. For non-emergency calls, please call the number for the department you wish to reach.

How do I get a copy of a fire incident report?

Call Sharon-Yakima County Fire District No. 5 at (509) 829-5111. You can pick up the report at Station #10 (717 1^st Ave. in Zillah) or have it faxed to you.

How do I get rid of old gasoline/oil that I have in my garage?

The fire department cannot accept the gasoline/oil as we do not have a method for disposal. Another option is to call a hazardous materials waste hauler to dispose of it for you.

Do you get cats out of trees or rescue pets?

It depends on the situation. Often times a rescue is not required. With cats in trees, we strongly suggest opening a can of tuna (this usually works), leaving the immediate area and waiting for the cat to get down on its own.

What are the educational and physical requirements to be a firefighter?

The physical demands can be great for short periods of time. We function in hazardous environments and under great stress during emergency operations. Current educational requirements to become a Firefighter are a minimum high school education.

Does the fire department service fire extinguishers?

The fire department does not service fire extinguishers. There are many fire extinguisher companies in the telephone book that have the proper equipment to service them.

Are tours of the fire stations available?

Yes, fire station tours are offered at our stations. School-aged children are the most prevalent visitors to the stations, but everybody is welcomed. Call the individual fire station that you are interested in visiting to set up an appointment.

When an emergency vehicle is approaching that is displaying emergency lights and sirens, what should I do?

Please pull to the right and stop. This will allow fire apparatus or other emergency vehicles adequate and clear lanes to safely and quickly continue its response.

Why do so many fire trucks respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. Yakima County Fire District No. 5 responds with adequate resources when they reacting for a citizen in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. Discovering that we need more units once we arrive is often too late. We have learned from experience that it is better to have too much help than not enough.

A structure fire requires a number of people to do all the assigned tasks almost simultaneously. Firefighting teams are assigned certain responsibilities such as fire extinguishment, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, safety, accountability and rapid intervention teams.

Why do 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 the previous answer, sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, assessed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control or that a single unit could handle the emergency. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call.

Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle with red lights and sirens go through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call to which they were responding.

Why do firefighters cut holes in the roof of a building on fire?

This is called "venting the roof." There are two basic reasons for this practice. Dangerous superheated 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 or for victims to survive. When a hole is made in the roof, and the building is “vented,” the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It increases the victim’s chance for survival and makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft (explosion) and flashover. 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 and cut holes to access the attic to stop the fire from spreading through the attic.

Why do fire trucks respond to motor vehicle accidents?

Two reasons. First, automobile accidents present other hazards such as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, and/or the presence of hazardous materials. Second, Yakima County Fire District No. 5 firefighters are medically trained. They assist the ambulance with patient care or assist in extricating (removing) trapped occupants of the vehicle.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

We keep a record of the health care services we provided to you. You may ask to review or photocopy that record. We will not disclose your record to others unless you direct us to do so or unless the law authorizes or compels us to do so. You may review your record or get more information about it by contacting our headquarters station during regular business hours. Any complaints should be directed to the fire chief or their designee.