I recently received an email from a resident suggesting that fire departments frequently “pad” their run numbers with calls other than fire and emergency medical calls. I would like to explain the “good intent” or “public service” call.
The Madison Township Fire Department (MTFD) is an “all hazards, full service” fire department. The National Fire Incident Reporting System we utilize is used by over 22,000 fire departments nationwide. Specific codes are assigned to show all of the things a fire department actually does to support their community. This is also helpful for nationwide data collection.
Here are just some of the examples of MTFD’s recent “good intent” calls:
- 90 year old female: smoke detector alerting for 2 days, no fire, no family to call. MTFD responds and changed batteries.
- 87 year old female: keeps medications on her dresser, she slips and pushes her medication bottles behind the dresser, no family to call. MTFD responds to move dresser and retrieve medications.
- Person on home oxygen: bottle runs out at 2 am, oxygen company cannot get to their home until after 10 am. MTFD responds, delivers an oxygen bottle until oxygen can be delivered.
- Three youth home alone: puppy gets behind the washer and dryer, puppy gets head caught in washer. MTFD responds, rescues puppy and puts washer back together.
These are coded as incidents because that is what they are. They utilize our apparatus, manpower, and equipment to mitigate a situation in our community.
Now, these incidents may not seem important to everyone or might appear insignificant. I assure, you to the families or persons involved in these situations, and countless more like them, it means everything. That’s why our department and many others do it, and will continue to respond to these calls for assistance.
