FAQs • Red Bank, TN • CivicEngage

Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?: Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 911 operator. The RBFD thinks pessimistically when they respond to citizens in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. They are fast, well-trained, and pleasant in their response. A computer selects the closest unit to respond to an incident. Depending on the nature of the emergency the dispatcher may send more than a single fire station. The fire department's philosophy is to get our firefighters there as soon as possible. There may be three fire department vehicles on the scene of what appears to be a "simple" incident. However, in emergency services, we have learned that if we assume something "simple," we can be horribly mistaken. Plus, we respond as fast as we can prepared to encounter the worst. The winner in these situations will always be the citizens who need help.

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Fire

1. How do I get a copy of a fire report?: Call RBFD Administration at 423-877-7252. We will need the date and address of the incident.

2. How do I get a burning permit?: Call the Air Pollution Control Bureau at 423-643-5970. There is a ban on burning from May 1st - September 30th of each year.

3. Who do I call to get CPR or public education classes?: Call Fire Marshal, Eddie Iles, at 423-269-7945 between 7 am and 3 pm.

4. What do I do with old gasoline/oil/paint that I don't want?: Waste motor oil that is not contaminated with other fluids or dirt can be recycled. Take this to the Warner Park Recycle Center. Local auto parts stores may also accept used motor oil. Other household waste products can be taken to the Household Waste Collection Facility at 4063 N Hawthorne Street. Hours of operation are 8 am to 3 pm. Tuesday through Saturday. Visit the City of Chattanooga website for more information.

5. Do you get cats out of trees/telephone poles/off of roofs?: As a general rule no. Try opening a can of tuna and waiting for the cat to get down on its own. Cats have been known to stay up in trees for several days. We will come and see if we can assist and if safety permits we may be able to retrieve the pet in distress. Call us at 423-877-7252 or 877-1711. Please do not call 911.

6. Do you check blood pressures?: Yes, at any RBFD fire station between the hours of 7 am and 9 pm.

7. How can I schedule a fire truck or a firefighter at my function?: Call RBFD Administration at least two weeks in advance at 423-877-7252.

8. Do you fill fire extinguishers?: No. Check the Yellow Pages under Fire Extinguishers. We can give you information on fire extinguishers by calling RBFD Administration at 423-877-7252 or Fire Marshal Eddie Iles 423-269-7945.

9. When I call 9-1-1 for an ambulance, why does a fire engine show up?: All Red Bank Fire Department members are trained in First Aid and CPR and are considered first responders. A First Responder is a person trained to arrive on the scene and provide immediate care to a person having a medical emergency. RBFD fire engines carry medical equipment including heart defibrillators/monitors and oxygen. When a medical emergency occurs the 911 dispatcher will determine whether a fire engine can arrive quicker than a ambulance, which may be out of the district on another call. The RBFD has saved many lives due to our quick response to life-threatening medical emergencies prior to the arrival of an ambulance.

10. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?: Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 911 operator. The RBFD thinks pessimistically when they respond to citizens in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. They are fast, well-trained, and pleasant in their response. A computer selects the closest unit to respond to an incident. Depending on the nature of the emergency the dispatcher may send more than a single fire station. The fire department's philosophy is to get our firefighters there as soon as possible. There may be three fire department vehicles on the scene of what appears to be a "simple" incident. However, in emergency services, we have learned that if we assume something "simple," we can be horribly mistaken. Plus, we respond as fast as we can prepared to encounter the worst. The winner in these situations will always be the citizens who need help.