Emergency Preparedness for Residents of Ottawa

Emergency Medical Services (Ambulances)

Suppression

Firefighters must be prepared to respond immediately to a fire or any other emergency that arises. Because fighting fires is dangerous and complex, it requires organization and teamwork. At every emergency scene, firefighters perform specific duties assigned by a superior officer.

At fires, they connect hose lines to hydrants, operate pumps to high-pressure hoses and position ladders to deliver water to the fire. They also rescue victims and administer emergency medical aid as needed, ventilate smoke-filled areas, and attempt to salvage the contents of buildings. Their duties may change several times during one incident. Sometimes firefighters remain at the site of a disaster for days at a time to rescue trapped survivors and help with medical treatment.

Firefighters work in urban and rural areas, airports and industrial sites. Workers in urban and suburban areas, airports and industrial sites typically use conventional fire fighting equipment and tactics. Forest fires call for different methods. Some firefighters are specially trained to work in hazardous materials units and work on preventing, controlling and cleaning oil spills and other incidents. Other firefighters save people from freezing and rushing water.