The Washington Fire Department is frequently asked a number of routine questions regarding our department and how our operations work. We will try to answer any questions here that we are commonly asked, and we will continue to add to this list as we received questions and comments from our citizens.
Request for ambulance service are made by dialing 911. Calls placed to 911 are received by the Washington Police Department, which in turn dispatches the ambulance. The Washington Fire Department operates a Paramedic ambulance from Fire Station #1 on Wilmor Road. This ambulance is staffed at the Paramedic level twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. We also utilize EMTs who are on call to staff our second ambulance when needed. Advanced Life Support is provided by Paramedics. Paramedics are highly trained EMTs licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, and generally complete at least 1500 hours of emergency medical training. They are trained to treat a variety of medical and trauma related emergencies. Paramedics carry medications that can be used to treat heart attacks and irregular heart beats, asthma and emphysema, diabetic emergencies, strokes, and seizures. Along with potentially life saving medications, the other advantages to the patient is that these medications can be administered to the patient at their home or other location, rather than waiting until they arrive at the hospital. The Washington Fire Department is currently rated a Class 5 by the Insurance Office of Illinois. The Washington Fire Department currently accepts applications for volunteer/paid-on-call Firefighters and EMTs. Applications are currently available at Station #1, 200 N. Wilmor Rd. Persons seeking positions as Firefighters must become FFII to be a member of the Washington Fire Department, and those who wish to be EMS members must be at minimum an Illinois certified EMT-Basic. Click to download an application! |