It’s a question we hear often at the Stronach Township Fire Department, and it’s a good one:
Why does a fire engine or rescue truck show up when someone calls for an ambulance?
The short answer: We’re committed to getting the highest level of care to you in the shortest amount of time.
But there’s more to it — and we want to explain why it makes sense.
We’re Always On Call, Even If We’re Not Always In the Station
Stronach Township Fire Department provides around-the-clock emergency service to the 55.7 square miles of our community, just like the other departments across Manistee County do for theirs. We’re a volunteer fire department, which means we’re not always physically in the station. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t ready.
When a call goes out, trained volunteers respond quickly from home or work, either to the station to get apparatus or directly to the scene. It’s a cost-effective and efficient way to provide critical fire and emergency medical services to a rural community.
Medical Calls Are the Majority — and We’re Trained for Them
Of the 157 calls we responded to last year from our two stations, the majority involved some form of emergency medical need. And we’re equipped for that.
Our firefighters are also medically trained — as First Responders (FR), Medical First Responders (MFRs), Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), and in my case, as a licensed Paramedic (EMTP).
While we don’t transport patients to the hospital, we do everything from medical assessment to treatment and stabilization — often before the ambulance even arrives. That early care can make a major difference in outcomes.
More Fire Trucks, Fewer Ambulances
In our area — like in most fire protection districts across the country — there are simply more fire apparatus than ambulances available at any given time. That’s why it’s not unusual to see a fire engine, rescue truck, or utility vehicle arrive at a medical scene first.
Our trucks carry much of the same life-saving equipment as ambulances, and our cross-trained crews can immediately begin care that might otherwise be delayed.
Some Calls Require More Than Two People
Ambulances are typically staffed by two people. But many emergencies need more than that.
Cardiac arrests. Difficulty breathing. Patients who are trapped or can’t move on their own. These aren’t one-person or even two-person jobs.
We send the right equipment and enough people to handle what we might face, and everyone on that crew has a role in patient care. From performing CPR to managing airways to safely lifting someone to the stretcher, the extra hands help ensure care is both timely and safe.
Mutual-Aid & Auto-Aid: We’re Stronger Together
You might also see a fire truck from a neighboring township at your call. That’s thanks to mutual-aid and auto-aid agreements — long-standing partnerships between fire departments across Manistee County.
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Mutual-aid means we can request help from neighboring departments when we need it.
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Auto-aid means some departments automatically respond with us to certain types of calls, especially if they’re closer or already on the road.
These agreements ensure that someone is always coming, no matter where you are or when you call. It’s a system built to serve you, not just our township borders.
Safety for Everyone — Including Us
Every call we go on carries unknowns. Domestic violence, crime scenes, drug overdoses, and traffic accidents — these situations can be dangerous for both patients and responders.
Sending multiple personnel and apparatus increases safety. It allows us to protect each other, manage the scene, and still focus on what matters most: caring for the patient.
It’s About Responsibly Using Resources to Save Lives
Sending a fire truck to a medical call might look like overkill. But in reality, it’s a smart, flexible, and proven way to get help to you quickly, especially when seconds count.
Whether it’s a heart attack, a fall, or a complex trauma, we send the people and equipment that give you the best chance of recovery. It’s not about sending more. It’s about sending what’s needed — fast, trained, and ready.
Want to make a difference in your community?
We’re always looking for volunteers — firefighters and medical responders alike. No experience necessary. Just heart and commitment. Reach out to us if you’re interested in joining the team.
Not ready to volunteer, but want to help?
Consider taking a CPR class or a basic first aid course. You never know when you’ll be the first one there to help a neighbor or loved one.
Thank you for reading this week’s installment of Behind The Alarm!
Check back next week as we tackle another topic from behind the alarm.
Have questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you!
This article first appeared in Behind The Alarm, the newsletter of Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic of the Stronach Township Fire Department, on April 22, 2025. Read the original.