To better address the ~110,000 calls made to 911 by Sacramentans each year, the Sacramento Fire Department is launching a new pilot program.
New “squads” will use smaller fire trucks with two firefighters — one of whom is a paramedic — mostly to respond to situations that aren’t life-threatening (like a cat stuck in a tree or a small grass fire). The idea is to free up actual fire engines + ambulances for larger emergencies, improving response time.
The trucks will be outfitted with the same medical equipment normal fire engines carry, while packing a 400-gallon water tank. The smaller response teams will also offer telehealth services from Tele911, directly connecting callers to medical professionals.
The program is expected to run through March, with the city’s two squad vehicles located at Station 4 and Station 15.
