Why does the Fire Department send only a Fire Engine on some minor medical calls?
The Garland Fire Department has two Fire Districts that are covered by a Paramedic Fire Engine. This means that the Fire Engine is staffed with a minimum of two Paramedics at all times. Also, the Paramedic Engine carries all of the same medical equipment that an ambulance carries. The only difference is that the Paramedic Engine cannot transport a patient. If the assessment by the engine’s paramedics determines that a transport is necessary, an ambulance is dispatched immediately while the patient is being treated and prepared for transport. Please remember that this procedure is used only in the case of minor medical calls. Major medical calls like a heart attack, stroke, gun shot wound and others will have an ambulance dispatched immediately in addition to the Paramedic Engine.
