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1. Why does a fire engine respond when I call for an ambulance?

It is our department policy to send the closest paramedics to all ambulance calls. The vehicle may be a fire engine, pickup truck or other support vehicle in addition to an ambulance depending on the type of call. These personnel assist the ambulance crew with equipment, patient assessment and transportation.

2. When I call for an ambulance, why do I sometimes see an ambulance from another town?

Occasionally during the course of a day we may have a request for an ambulance while our ambulance is already assisting another citizen. 

When we are busy we will dispatch a paramedic ambulance from the next available town, normally Steger, Park Forest, Chicago Heights, or Crete. This Mutual Aid Agreement is reciprocal; therefore, South Chicago Heights ambulances are commonly dispatched to the other municipalities.