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1. How do I know my smoke detectors are working?

You should become familiar with how to test your detectors. Instructions are enclosed with every detector. The simplest way to test the detector is to push the test button. This will arm the detector and cause it to sound until you release the test button.

It is important to test detectors for many reasons. The obvious reason is to assure they are working. Less obvious but equally important is that you and your family members need to know what the sound is in order to plan a response to hearing the detectors. Hearing this piercing sound in the dead of night will cause confusion and panic if you do not know what the sound is and how to react to it. Children need to know the sound. Parents need to arrange with their children what their exit escape plan is for when the alarm sounds. You can contact the fire department for a free pamphlet on fire safety using exit drills in the home (EDITH).

2. Why are the fire trucks seen all over town when there is no fire there?

Your fire department is charged with the responsibility of inspecting every public property in the Town of Shrewsbury. Every bank transaction involving mortgages requires a fire inspection. Every oil burner modification requires a fire inspection. The Shrewsbury Fire department performs over 2,000 inspections in any given year.

3. Why do my smoke detectors beep?

Smoke detectors beep for 1 of 3 reasons. Either they are dirty and the detector sees something across its beam and calls it smoke, the battery is getting weak and a built-in alarm is warning you to change the battery, or there is some reason/cause that may trip the alarm momentarily and then the alarm resets on its own.

4. Why is a fire truck always sent with an ambulance?

The fire department and the ambulance provider work as a 4-man team. In the new EMS 2000 regulations, 4 persons are recommended for answering a call for medical assistance.

All fire personnel are trained first responders. The fire truck is dispatched at the same time as the ambulance. The expectation is that the fire truck is closest to the scene and can minister to the victims in the time before the ambulance arrives. We assume that any call from a residence is a confirmed need for medical assistance, since the victim or someone with the victim has placed the call. The fire trucks all carry defibrillators, oxygen and trauma medical supplies as part of the standard inventory. All firefighters are trained to first responder level, while some are Emergency Medical Technicians.