When I called 911, the person kept asking me a bunch of questions and all I needed was a fire truck. Why don’t they just send the fire truck?

When you call 911 in Johnston County, the call goes to the Johnston County E-911 Communications Center. They ask questions in order to relay important information to responding personnel (Fire/Rescue, EMS, Law Enforcement). This information can range from finding out if people are trapped in a fire to giving medical aid directions over the phone. Dispatchers are required to obtain certain certifications (Emergency Medical Dispatch, Emergency Fire Dispatch, and Emergency Police Dispatch, to name a few) that allow them to give directions and/or assist you while emergency responders are responding. Most of the time, while one person is asking the questions or giving directions, another is dispatching the appropriate agency(s). Please be patient and provide as much information as possible. For CFD, the information is "real-time," since our apparatus have mobile data computers (MDC's) which are a direct link to the dispatcher's screen. As they enter it, we see it!

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1. Why do fire trucks sometimes travel with their lights and siren on, and then all of a sudden turn them off?
2. My fire alarm went off and I contacted my alarm company and told them everything was OK and not to send the Fire Department and they still showed up, why?
3. Can I be fined for false fire alarms? What constitutes a false alarm?
4. Where can I get a copy of a fire report and is there a fee?
5. What do I do after a fire?
6. Can I burn my yard debris or trash in my yard?
7. I tried calling the non-emergency number but no one answered, why?
8. When I called 911, the person kept asking me a bunch of questions and all I needed was a fire truck. Why don’t they just send the fire truck?
9. What are the work hours of fire department personnel?
10. Aren’t firefighters wasting water when they open up a hydrant and just let it run? Why do they do that?
11. Why do firefighters come to my business and get information?
12. Is there a law that requires other vehicles to move out of the way for emergency vehicles?
13. Are fire trucks able to change traffic lights to green?
14. Why are fire trucks taken to the grocery store or restaurants?
15. How much does the gear and equipment the firefighters carry weigh?
16. How do I schedule a fire truck to come to my school, daycare, or other event?
17. Do the fire stations have a fire pole? If not, Why?
18. Do the fire trucks have water in them?
19. Does the fire department have a volunteer, junior or explorer program?