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.