Why do you send a fire engine to a medical call?

The Marlborough Fire Department operates three fire stations located throughout the City. All of our staff are trained in emergency medical procedures.

During a medical emergency, seconds count!

The response of the closest fire engine in an emergency brings trained firefighters to your home or place of business in minutes. Most times, the fire engine is closer to the call than the ambulance. Emergency lifesaving equipment, such as, oxygen, cardiac defibrillators, epinephrine are carried on the fire engine. This response, together with the paramedic ambulance personnel, contributes to a quality emergency response.

The fire engine response is beneficial in many ways. It provides for immediate medical intervention, such as, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, enough personnel on the scene to provide for supervision of the patient and scene, and the ability to aid the paramedic ambulance personnel while they administer drugs or other life saving measures. We assist with the movement of a stretcher throughout the building, especially on stairways or when slippery conditions are encountered. It is necessary to have more than the two ambulance personnel to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation, especially when moving the patient. Teamwork is the name of the game and your wellbeing, qualified medical evaluation and intervention is the mission of the Marlborough Fire Department.