It’s a question people often ask: Why does the Manteca Fire Department along with a Manteca District Ambulance Crew respond to every medical emergency?

Dave Marques, Manteca’s new fire chief, has the answer.

“Most of the time on medical calls more than two people are needed to effectively help the (stricken) person,” Marques said.

Given time is of the essence in most medical calls and the fact having someone who arrives on scene determining whether more assistance is needed would add more time, an engine company and ambulance are dispatched simultaneously.

Issues that commonly arise are two respondents could need to administer CPR while a third is in contact with an emergency room physician, a pet dog may have to be restrained in order to help the person, it takes more than two people to place someone on a gurney and upwards of five when they have to be moved from a second floor or there are other issues involved and, if it is in a public setting, secure the scene to allow those working on a patience to do so without interference.

“The Manteca Fire Department has a strong working relationship with Manteca District Ambulance,” Marques noted.

The fire chief added ambulance and fire crews typically arrive at the scene of an emergency at about the same time.

Why do firefighters take fire

engines to the supermarket?

Another issue the public often brings up assuming it is a waste of tax dollars is when firefighters take an engine instead of one of them taking a separate vehicle to go to the supermarket or pick up an order at a restaurant.

Marques noted three-man crews work in 48-hour shifts. They typically bring their own food to prepare for their meals during that time.

But if they need something at the supermarket, opt for takeout or perform some work-related task that could he handled by one firefighter all three firefighters go instead.

That’s because three firefighters need to be with an engine when it responds to a call.

Less than that means basic manpower needed for optimum outcomes such as a medical call or fighting a fire can’t be handled when an engine with only two firefighters arrive on scene.

Failing to yield to

red lights & sirens

Marques said motorists failing to yield to fire engines with red lights and sirens activated can reduce critical time that could be a question of life and death for victims of a heart attack, accidents, drownings, and other such emergencies.

Drivers need to pull over to the right of the roadway.

“Stopping in the middle of the road is a problem,” the fire chief said.

By pulling over there is a clear path for fire engines.

And while state law allows fire engines responding to an emergency to travel 10 miles per hour above the posted speed limit, that is something the department essentially never does.

“Fire engines don’t stop on a dime,” Marques said.

That is why engineers won’t exceed the speed limit in order to make up for delays created when motorists fail to follow the law and yield to an emergency vehicle.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com