Firefighters are an essential part of any community, working tirelessly to keep blazes at bay. But don’t be misled by their name, because they do much more than just fight fires. These everyday heroes respond to all sorts of emergencies, perform urgent rescues, and do public outreach events to help educate and engage with those they serve. Let’s look at five situations that firefighters can help with beyond putting out fires.

Vehicle Accidents

Road accidents are among the most common calls that firefighters receive, and they’re well equipped to help: Not only are many firefighters trained as EMTs or licensed paramedics, but they also have access to special lifesaving equipment such as the “Jaws of Life,” which are used to cut through metal and extract victims from vehicles. And fire trucks can be used to create a barrier between the accident and oncoming traffic, protecting emergency responders and allowing teams to divert other drivers in order to safely secure the scene.

Medical Emergencies

Statistics show that medical emergencies account for the majority of the incidents that the New York City Fire Department (the largest fire department in the nation) responds to, and there’s a good reason for that.

Because many firefighters are trained as EMTs or paramedics, they can perform CPR, stop the loss of blood, or provide other care that’s medical in nature. It’s also worth noting that firefighters may arrive on scene sooner than other medical professionals because fire stations are evenly dispersed through communities to provide a rapid response to emergencies. Where an ambulance comes from depends on where you live and whether it’s publicly operated, hospital-based, or privately owned, but there are more fire stations than hospitals: According to the American Hospital Association, there are 6,100 hospitals in the United States. Compare that with more than 27,000 fire departments in the U.S., with over 52,000 stations collectively, per the National Fire Department Registry. 

Rescue Operations

Firefighters are well equipped to handle various rescue operations, whether they involve a human or an animal. Firefighters may be called to rescue a person trapped in a car in rising floodwaters, people in a stalled elevator, or someone who’s gotten a limb stuck in a fence.

Firefighters also respond to rescue situations for both pets and wildlife. For instance, if your dog crawls through a sewer grate and can’t get out, firefighters can help get your pup back. Or if you open up the toilet and find a snake in the bowl, you can call the fire department for assistance. And yes, they also rescue cats from trees.

Hazardous Conditions

From chemical spills to gas leaks to downed power lines, firefighters are trained to handle hazardous conditions and ensure public safety. They may employ an “isolate, evacuate, and deny entry” strategy, which involves isolating the scene, evacuating anyone at risk, and keeping folks at a safe distance thereafter. 

In the case of chemical spills, firefighters not only ensure the safety of everyone around the site, but also work to stop the spill from contaminating the surrounding environment. When power lines go down, firefighters will come to the scene and communicate with local utility companies to de-energize live wires before they tackle any fires that may have arisen. Firefighters also handle 200,000 natural gas leaks annually. In those situations, they’ll locate the source of the leak using a monitor, evacuate if necessary, shut off the gas supply, and control potential sources of ignition before ventilating the area and coordinating with the gas company on next steps.  

Community Service

Part of a firefighter’s job is giving back to the community. For instance, workplaces and schools may contact the local fire department to deliver an educational talk to students or employees. Firefighters may also show up at community events like street fairs or markets, where they can answer questions you may have about the department or fire safety in general. Many fire stations also host open houses each year where you can speak with the people keeping you safe, experience educational demonstrations about fire safety, and learn about potential careers if you’re interested in fire service. 

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