FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I obtain employment for Washington Township Fire Department?
Washington Township Fire Department is a combination department of Paid-On-Call (Firefighter/EMT-B minimum) and Full Time (Firefighter/EMT-P minimum).  You must pass the written test through EMPCO, (click here for EMPCO site) and have chosen Washington Township Fire Department as an interest for employment.  You may fill out an application by either printing from our "forms tab" or picking one up at Fire Station 1.

Do you offer CPR, AED and/or First Aid classes?
The Washington Township Fire Department offers a variety of different classes that are scheduled through Romeo-Washington-Bruce Parks & Recreation, 586-752-6543.

Does Washington Township Fire Department loan out or accept used medical equipment?
The Washington Township Fire Department does have a "Loaner Closet" which allows residents to borrow medical items such as wheel chairs, crutches, walkers and canes. These items are loaned out on a first come, first serve basis and asked to be returned when the equipment is no longer needed.  We also appreciate the donations of the above items that are still in good working condition.  You can call station 1 at 586-781-6161 to inquire about equipment availability. 
Please note: We do not accept or loan out bath/shower chairs or commodes due to sanitary reasons.

Where can I go to have my child safety seat inspected or installed?
The Washington Township Fire Department does not offer child safety seat installation and inspection program at this time.  You can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator web site to find a location near you, by clicking here.  

Where can I dispose of unwanted/unused medications?
The Washington Township Fire Department does not accept unused medications at the stations, however Orchard View Pharmacy, 12150 30 Mile Road in Washington Twp. (586-336-9552) accepts them. You may also visit Macomb County Health Departments website for additional locations, Macomb County Health Department  . 

My insurance company wants to know my fire protection class?
You can call our Fire Prevention department at 586-781-6161 and they will be happy to help you with what fire protection class you would fall under according to the property address.

How do I arrange to tour a fire station?
We suggest contacting us (586-781-6161 or zimmerk@ctwfd.org) at least 7 days in advance prior to the desired tour date.  We can then schedule your tour at the fire station.

How can I get a copy of a fire incident or medical incident report?
To request a copy of your fire or medical incident report call our Kelly Zimmer, Privacy Compliance Officer at 586-781-6161 or email zimmerk@ctwfd.org, at least 24 hours in advance.  For more information on patient rights and records see our web site link.  Click here for a copy of our Privacy Policy Notice.

What is the charge for being transported to the hospital by medic unit?
When a patient is transported to a hospital/medical facility, the fee will be different depending on what type of services were needed, if medications were used, how many miles from scene to the hospital etc. 

Washington Township Resident:  If you live in Washington Township and pay Fire/EMS through your taxes, then there is not any out of the pocket cost.  Washington Township Fire (using Accumed Billing) will only bill your medical insurance and accept what they pay.

Non-Washington Township Resident:  For those patients that do not live within Washington Township, we will bill your medical insurance (using Accumed Billing). If your insurance does not pay the full amount or if the patient does not have insurance, then the patient or responsible party for the patient is responsible for the full amount of the bill.

Why do your fire trucks use lights and sirens, even in the middle of the night when there is no traffic?
The purpose of emergency warning equipment is to let drivers and pedestrians know that an emergency vehicle is on the way to an emergency. By Michigan state law, we do have certain privileges extended to us. Those being, to carefully proceed through controlled intersections and travel against the designated flow of traffic. These privileges have rules that the legislation and department policy put on the drivers of these emergency vehicles. The main rule is that we cannot do these things unless there are lights flashing and sirens going. Even in the middle of the night.

I saw a Washington Township fire truck at a local grocery store and some of the firefighters were inside shopping for food. Why do firefighters use fire trucks for non-emergency purposes, such as grocery shopping, while they are on duty?
A.  To ensure the most effective service at the time of an emergency, our crews must remain in their designated response territory with their fire trucks during their entire shift. Our crews work 24-hour shifts with no scheduled breaks, and meals are not provided by the Township.  Personnel on each shift must purchase their own food and prepare their own meals, so they may make a daily trip to the grocery store within their neighborhood to buy whatever they need to prepare their meals for the entire shift.

B.  Fire and Medic crews do not have to be sitting in the fire station to be dispatched to a call.  Since all Township units maintain constant radio contact with Fire communications and the crew must always be together and with their truck, they are always ready to respond to any emergency, regardless of their current location or non-emergency assignment. Very often, our firefighters and paramedics spend long periods of their day running calls, without returning to the station or stopping to eat, and they frequently have to return to the grocery store several times to finish purchasing food that they might not get a chance to even cook during their shift.

Why does a fire engine come when I only requested an ambulance?
A fire truck will sometimes arrive at an incident first because it is the closest emergency unit to the scene and we are committed to getting help to your location as fast as possible. The fire department has three fire stations spaced strategically around the Township.  All career firefighters are cross-trained as Paramedics to provide Advanced Life Support medical treatment.  Since there are only four paramedic units/ambulances in the Township, firefighters may respond to all calls involving life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, chest pains, and severe bleeding. They initiate treatment to stabilize patients and provide information to the paramedics that are en route to the call so they will be aware of any additional advanced life support equipment that will be needed on the scene.

Why do you send so many fire vehicles to a fire, especially a small fire?
Each fire truck only carries a limited number of firefighters and it is necessary to have enough firefighters on the scene of an incident.  There are a number of specialized roles that firefighters undertake at the scene of a fire, and firefighting is a very labor-intensive and dynamic activity.  If you get behind because there are not enough firefighters on the call, it is more difficult to extinguish a fire quickly.

How can I get a smoke detector from the Fire Department? 
The Washington Township Fire department purchases a limited number of smoke alarms for distribution to Township residents who may otherwise not be able to afford them (Click here for request form).  If you can afford a smoke alarm but have a question or concern regarding installation of your own smoke alarm (Click here for Installation Guide) or different types of smoke alarms, please contact the Office of the Fire Marshal at 586-781-6161.