r/Firefighting • u/PhilosopherFull819 • May 29 '25

Ask A Firefighter Firefighter told me I shouldn't have called.

The smoke detector was going off from the car port underneath the garage apartments behind the 4plex I live in. I walked outside and saw no smoke or fire and found the detector. I mulled over reaching up and disabling it myself but I opted to err on the side of caution and report it. A truck pulled up minutes later and I showed the guys what I saw. The tallest one reached up and pulled it off and took out the battery. Another one got angry and said that I should "grow up" and "feel embarrassed" for calling. To which I replied I didn't want to turn off the alarm without confirming there was no danger that I couldn't see myself and thanked them and told them to have a nice day and they left. I imaging he was stressed and tired but can't help feeling like I did something wrong.

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u/CrazyIslander May 29 '25 edited May 29 '25

We’ve been called out to an old folks residence (semi-independent living) at like 12:30am SPECIFICALLY for a “battery change” in a smoke detector.

In this particular case, the individual couldn’t reach the smoke detector as they didn’t have a stepladder and they were elderly. The thing was chirping and they were anxious because they couldn’t sleep and thought they were disturbing other residents.

We went and did it with a smile on our faces BECAUSE THAT’S LITERALLY OUR JOB!

IMO, as firefighters we are “problem solvers”. We provide comfort, reassurance and resolutions to people who otherwise can’t do it for themselves (for whatever reason).

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u/[deleted] May 29 '25

I'm retired, but we used to say among ourselves "when no one else will help call the fire department they will always come and take care of the problem." ALWAYS! I have been on a lot of calls that wasn't even fire related but always took care of the problem. Like the senior women who called because her kitchen floor was ripped up and there was a water leak on the other side of the room. I had to walk across studs to get to the shut off, but did it with a smile and told her there was no problem and I was glad to help.