1. Why is a fire engine sent when I call for an ambulance?
The Plano Fire Department operates out of 12 fire stations and each station has a fire engine while seven of the stations have ambulances.  All Plano Fire Department personnel are dual-trained in fire suppression and emergency medical services.  This means that Plano firefighters are capable of working on fire engines and trucks as well as on ambulances.  The fire engine or truck which usually arrives first on the emergency scene carries all necessary equipment and medications to provide emergency medical treatment and advanced life support until the arrival of an ambulance.  This means it is no longer necessary to operate an ambulance from every fire station.  When Plano fire stations receive a call, the closest engine is dispatched to initiate care and the closest ambulance is dispatched to provide transportation to a hospital if needed.  By staffing a set number of ambulances, the Plano Fire Department is able to keep the number of personnel to staff the needed engines, trucks and ambulances at a minimum.  This method provides both fire and emergency medical services at the lowest possible cost.  Additionally, the fire engine crew can also assist the ambulance crew with complicated emergencies, loading the patient into the ambulance, and riding in the ambulance to provide extra care to seriously sick or injured patients.

2. Why was my ambulance ride to the hospital so bumpy and uncomfortable?
The patient cot has a thin, firm mattress that lies directly on an aluminum frame which can be a little uncomfortable.  Unfortunately, the cot must be firm in order for Plano crews to perform CPR on critically ill patients.  In addition, crews respond to medical emergencies as quickly and safely as possible in order to provide timely, life-saving treatment.  This requires vehicles with good road-handling characteristics.  If these large and heavy vehicles had a softer and more "spongy" suspension, they would provide a smoother ride but they would not be safe to drive to the scene as quickly.

3. Why does the Plano Fire Department charge an ambulance transport fee to tax-paying citizens?
When transporting patients in the ambulance, the Plano Fire Department charges $600 for residents of Plano and $700 for non-residents plus $10 per mile from the emergency scene to the medical facility.  The patient's medical insurance will usually pay this fee which is set in accordance with national ambulance standards.  If the Plano Fire Department did not charge this fee, this operating cost would have to be funded entirely with tax revenue, resulting in greater taxes for all citizens.

4. I'm building a new home in Plano and the homeowners association rules state that I must put a wood-shingle roof on my home. Do I have a choice?
Untreated wooden shingles are no longer permitted to be used on roofs within the City of Plano. The State of Texas recognized the danger of untreated wood shingles many years ago by passing a law which superseded any deed restrictions requiring wooden shingles.  Deed restrictions which allow for choices of roof types are now common and are legal.  Typical deed restrictions give homeowners a choice of wood shingle, slate, or tile roofs.  Wooden roofs, however, must use fire- resistant treated wooden shingles and must be installed as required by the building code.  The Plano Fire Department encourages homeowners associations to relax deed restrictions to allow high quality composition shingles which are not only reasonably priced, but offer a much higher degree of fire protection than wood shingles.

5. What type of fire extinguisher is best for my home?
A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is best for the home.  Look for and extinguisher with a rating of at least 2A:10B:C on the label.  These types of extinguishers can be used on any type of fire commonly occurring in the home.  They will often be labeled “ABC” or “All Purpose” and can be purchased in most large home-improvement or hardware stores.

6. Can I get my blood pressure checked at the fire station?
Yes.  The Plano Fire Department offers this free service at all fire stations.  Please know that crews might be absent from the station due to emergency calls or training activities.

7. Where can I purchase biodegradable lawn debris bags?
To find out more about debris bags, please click here.

8. Can I get a break on my insurance by putting a fire sprinkler system in my home?
The State of Texas has passed a law requiring insurance companies to give rate reductions to homeowners who have installed sprinklers in their homes.  Check with your agent for the amount of discount.  There are many other great reasons to put sprinklers in your home.  Call the Fire Prevention Division at (972) 941-5261 for more information or visit the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition’s website at http://www.homefiresprinkler.org/.

9. Does the Plano Fire Department host birthday parties at the Plano fire stations?
No, the Plano Fire Department does not host parties of any kind at the Plano fire stations.  If a party is held at another location (restaurant, park or home) the children may visit the fire station for a safety tour.  Because Plano crews remain in-service and ready to respond to emergency calls, no part of the party (decorations, gifts or refreshments) may be brought into the fire station for the tour.

10. Does the Plano Fire Department install or check child carseats at the Plano fire stations?
No, at this time neither the Plano Fire Department nor the Plano Police Department check or install child safety seats at fire stations or police stations.  The Family Education Office at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Plano will check or install your carseat by appointment.  Call 1-877-847-9355 for an appointment.  Please do not come to a Plano fire station for help with a child safety seat.

11. I am interested in a job with the Plano Fire Department.  How do I go about applying?
If you are interested in a civilian job with the Plano Fire Department, not a job as a firefighter, please check the City of Plano’s Online Job Listings for any position openings and follow the site’s instructions on how to apply.
If you are interested in a job as a firefighter, please visit this website’s EMPLOYMENT page. Please read the entire section completely as it will answer many of the questions about the process of testing and hiring for the entry position of Fire Rescue Specialist.  If you have questions about the testing and hiring process, please contact Captain Shawn Childress at 972-941-7295 or at shawnc@plano.gov.

12. Does the Plano Fire Department give away smoke alarms at the Plano fire stations?
No, the Plano Fire Department does not give out smoke alarms at the fire stations.  The Plano Fire Department has a Smoke Alarm Assistance Hotline which explains the services and help that can be provided to citizens by the Plano Fire Department concerning smoke alarms.  Please call the Hotline at 972-941-7471.

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