Fire Department Frequently Asked Questions

A fire engine is dispatched with an ambulance on those emergency medical calls that are manpower intensive. Examples include a heart attack, stroke, diabetic emergency, childbirth, gunshot or stab wound, breathing difficulty and automobile accidents. The ambulance has two EMTs assigned to it. Often on the serious medical calls they need assistance getting the patient out of a bedroom, down from a second or third story building, or because of a patient's size. The fire engine typically responds with three Firefighters/EMTs to help with those tasks. In addition, if the patient is in cardiac arrest one of those firefighters assists with CPR and other advanced life support measures enroute to the hospital. The fire engine is almost always available to handle any additional calls as soon as they have helped the ambulance. In the case of an automobile accident, often times engine and radiator fluids are spilled on the ground, at times vehicle fires occur, and most importantly the engine carries the "jaws of life" for use in extricating trapped patients.

 Firefighters have many duties when they are not responding to emergency calls. Some of the most important ones include checking out the fire apparatus and ambulances at the start of each duty tour, maintaining the cleanliness of the fire stations to which they are assigned, and the most important task is a continual ongoing proficiency training program that keeps their fire and EMS skills at the highest levels for service to the public. In addition in between all of these calls they are allowed to have meal and exercise breaks.

The Hudson Fire Department has a no idling policy which requires a fire engine or other emergency vehicle not operating at a scene of an emergency to turn the vehicle off if it will be run more than 10 minutes. The exception to this policy is for the fire engines which carry water and have a large pump to move water. In the winter months, if a fire engine cannot be housed inside then the fire engine is left running and the pump is working to circulate water to prevent freezing. You can imagine what happens when the pump is not circulating in that the pump can freeze up and crack the pump housing resulting in major damage to the fire engine. The fire engines burn diesel fuel which consumes fuel at a slower rate than gasoline.

The Maltese cross or Amalfi cross is identified as the symbol of an order of Christian warriors known as the Knights Hospitaller or Knights of Malta. It was originally the symbol of Amalfi, a small Italian republic of the 11th century. The cross is eight-pointed and has the form of four "V"-shaped arms joined together at their tips, so that each arm has two points. Its design is based on crosses used since the First Crusade. The eight points are said to symbolize the eight points of courage.

1. Loyalty 
2. Piety 
3. Frankness 
4. Bravery 
5. Glory and honor 
6. Contempt of death 
7. Helpfulness towards the poor and the sick 
8. Respect for the church

The Maltese cross remains the symbol of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and other Orders of St John and St. John Ambulance. In recent centuries, it has come to be adopted as the insignia of numerous orders of chivalry and appears on the coat-of-arms of the Mecklenburg-Strelitz district. In Australia, the Maltese Cross is part of the state emblem of Queensland.
The cross of Saint Florian, used by firefighters, is often confused with the Maltese cross; although it may have eight or more points, it also has large curved arcs between. The cross of St. Florian is widely used by fire services to form their emblem.

Any fire and/or EMS first aid safety education and training your group or business wishes to participate in can be scheduled through the Fire Administration office, 886-6021. It is our goal to ensure that all Town of Hudson groups, agencies and businesses are empowered with the knowledge of personal safety in the event of an emergency. These opportunities could save valuable minutes in the event of an emergency, before help can arrive. 
Some of the questions you will be asked are what kind of training are you looking for and the number of participants you expect to have in your group. Depending upon the nature of your request and the number of participants, several appointments may be necessary. 
What is the nature of your group; civic organization, club or family group. How many people will be in training and number of adults and children? What is the age group of the children that will be attending? These questions assist us in tailoring your training to fit your expectations.
Please note: Depending upon what training is being provided and the number of hours necessary to have a comprehensive class, there may be nominal fees associated with books and or instructors. Some classes or training offered are certification worthy and with that equated to added expenses endured by the Hudson Fire Department. The Town of Hudson recognizes the value in public education and does not provide these training opportunities for profit, but sometimes it may be necessary to share the expenses as to not over burden the department's budget to cover the cost of providing a class. More information and details can be obtained by contacting the Fire Administration office at 886-6021.

This is one of the most frequently asked questions. In the early days of fire history a Firefighter worked a 24 hour shift and you can imagine that in those times fires did not happen every day. The Firefighters at some point in the 24 hours needed to rest. Today many Fire Departments are returning to the 24 hour shift, as in the case of the Hudson Fire Department. While most people assume they are sleeping soundly, that is far from the case. Consider how well you sleep when you are not sleeping in your home. Often times being in a different sleep environment is enough to keep you tossing and turning all night. In the case of Firefighters their rest or sleep is interrupted by calls for fire and EMS service, air compressors and other mechanical noises in the fire station that runs 24 hours a day. Even one emergency call during the night shift will interrupt their sleep pattern for the rest of their shift. There are also other reasons that Firefighters need to rest during the night shift. "Fire fighters have documented increases in their risks for cardiac disease, malignancies and other illnesses that may be promoted by the chronic sleep deprivation associated with long work hours. Fire fighters and EMS responders are at risk for the decrements in mental and physical performance that have been well documented among others working long hours and during the night. Fatigue among fire fighters may relate to the disproportionately higher fire ground injury rates observed for the early morning hours. " Fatigue when driving may increase the risk of crashes when driving following long work hours. Long commutes following work may be a particular hazard.

*Source; IAFC,USFA Firefighter Sleep Deprivation Report

This is done so the Fire Department is absolutely sure the fire is completely out, and that there is no fire inside the walls or other hidden places. Wall insulation has been known to smolder for days.