FAQs • Pinellas Park, FL • CivicEngage

Why does a fire truck come when I call for an ambulance?: When you call 911, the closest EMS unit is sent to your emergency. Sometimes, the closest EMS unit is already on a call. When this happens, the closest Fire Truck with emergency medical capabilities and the next closest EMS unit is sent to your location to ensure medical attention reaches you as soon as possible. Many fire trucks have full Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities and are staffed with Paramedics.

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Fire Department

1. Why does a fire truck come when I call for an ambulance?: When you call 911, the closest EMS unit is sent to your emergency. Sometimes, the closest EMS unit is already on a call. When this happens, the closest Fire Truck with emergency medical capabilities and the next closest EMS unit is sent to your location to ensure medical attention reaches you as soon as possible. Many fire trucks have full Advanced Life Support (ALS) capabilities and are staffed with Paramedics.

2. What is the difference between the Fire Department rescue units and Sunstar?

Pinellas Park Fire Department provides full emergency services including fire suppression, hazardous materials response, technical rescue response, and Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS services. We respond first to all emergencies in the City to ensure the public gets the most rapid response to their emergency.

Sunstar is the ambulance company that takes patients to the hospital after the Fire Department has stabilized them. Pinellas County owns the Sunstar name and contracts with a private third-party provider to operate the company. When a Sunstar ambulance take patients to the hospital, it allows the Fire Department units to be available for the next 911 call.

3. Does the fire department have paramedics?: Pinellas Park Fire Department provides full Advanced Life Support (ALS) EMS services by employing Firefighter/Paramedics. These individuals are certified through the state of Florida to perform both fire suppression and ALS EMS procedures. These Firefighter/Paramedics work on both EMS units and Fire units specially equipped to provide ALS care.