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FIREMEN'S MANY DUTIES ******
MONDAY, MAY 3, 1976
THE WEEKEND WHICH HAS JUST PASSED IS A TYPICAL ONE FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, BUT THE VARIETY OF CALLS RECEIVED MAY SERVE TO HIGHLIGHT THE MÁNY OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS UNDERTAKEN BY A MODERN FIRE SERVICE.
DURING THE 48-HOUR PERIOD ENDED AT 7 A.M. TODAY, THE DEPARTMENT HANDLED A TOTAL OF 22 SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS WHICH ARE EMERGENCIES OTHER THAN FIRE IN WHICH HUMAN LIVES MAY BE IMPER ILLED OR PUBLIC PROPERTIES OR FACILITIES ENDANGERED.
IN ADDITION, 41 FIRE CALLS AND 713 AMBULANCE CALLS WERE ALSO DEALT WITH.
TO A FIREMAN, A SPECIAL SERVICE CALL IS AN INCIDENT WHERE HIS EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING IS PUT INTO PRACTICAL USE ALTHOUGH NO FIRE HAS OCCURRED.
THIS INCLUDES THE RELEASE OF PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN TRAPPED IN LIFTS DUE TO MECHANICAL DEFECT OR MORE COMMONLY TOO MANY PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO TRAVEL IN THE LIFT AT THE SAME TIME. FIREMEN ANSWERED 12 SUCH CALLS IN THE WEEKEND.
THERE ARE THE MORE TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE FIRE SERVICES IS CALLED UPON TO HELP, SUCH AS CHILDREN REPORTED MISSING IN THE SEA. OCCASIONALLY, THÈRE ARE THE CASES WHERE A PERSON DECIDES TO +END IT ALL+ AND DURING THE WEEKEND A CALL WAS DEALT WITH IN EACH OF THESE CATEGORIES.
OTHER SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS USUALLY RECEIVED INCLUDE ANIMAL RESCUE, PERSONS FALL FROM HEIGHT, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OVERCOME BY GAS, TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, LOCK-IN/OUT OF PREMISES, ETC.
THIS AND MANY OTHER INCIDENTS ARE DEALT WITH BY SPECIALLY-TRAINED FIREMEN USING EQUIPMENT DESIGNED TO COPE WITH ALMOST ANY EMERGENCY.
ALTHOUGH SOME OF THESE DUTIES OFTEN INVOLVE PERSONAL DANGER AND DEMAND GREAT COURAGE, THEY SERVE WELL TO INDICATE WHAT A VARIED LIFE A FIREMAN HAS.
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