If someone is not sure there is a fire, why can't the Police Department check it out first then tell you if there is really a fire?

A fire doubles in size approximately every 30 seconds. In less than 10 minutes, a fire can progress to the point of flashover. Flashover is a term used to describe the complete involvement of all contents in a room in fire. Two of the most important elements in limiting fire spread is the sufficient and quick arrival of fire personnel and equipment to attack and extinguish the fire as close to the point of origin as possible. Any time delayed in looking for a fire's origins or confirming a fire can lead to catastrophic death or injury to civilians. The Police however do often assist us if they arrive first by giving a report of the conditions they are observing. If there is "nothing showing", than this allows responding fire apparatus to slow down.