26 Shoreline Fire calls Monday

The very busy Shoreline Fire department responded to 26 calls in a 24 hour period Monday, from midnight to midnight.

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

As usual, most of those calls were medical.

Here's the breakdown:

• 1 cardiac arrest
• 4 Aid non-emergency
• 10 Aid emergencies
• 6  Medic emergencies
• 2 car accidents with aid
• 2 fire alarms (multi-family and residential)
• 4 service call/fire

Fire departments all work in cooperation with each other, with a shared priority is to get to the call as soon as possible. Many factors determine which department takes the call  - traffic, proximity to freeway entrances, available equipment. The lead department would be local, but at need each department can call upon the resources of the other. A large or complex fire may have units from multiple departments, who will stay to help if needed.

Fire engines are fully equipped medically - but they are staffed by firefighters, not Medics, and cannot transport patients. If an engine responds to a call that needs medical attention, an aid car or Medic 1 will be dispatched. Medics can dispense fluids and medications, and Medic vehicles / aid cars can transport patients. Because the engine needs to remain available to respond to fire calls, you may see an engine and an aid car at the same call.