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/Nolove4thehose Federal Firefighter/EMT May 29 '25

90% of the calls we respond to are bullshit and usually don’t even need our services, just someone with common sense or an Uber to an urgent care. However, 0% of the calls we respond to justify the reaction you received.

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u/donttakerhisthewrong May 29 '25

It was years ago. I. The middle of summer my C02 detector went off. It was like 3AM so I was not the clearest mind.

It would not shut off and there was a sticker on it that stated call the FD and wait outside. So I call the PD grab a cold drink and go outside.

A few minutes latter the FD arrives and go through the house and the guy in charge is chatting with me. He asked if we have a gas stove, no. Is the furnace on, no. Any engines running in the house or garage. I actual did a facepalm, I realized where could C02 be coming from and start apologizing for being a dumb dumb.

He could not have been nicer and stressed the point they would rather come to a house where the owner overreacted than a house where the owner ignored or disabled the alarm. All the other responders agreed.

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u/Nolove4thehose Federal Firefighter/EMT May 29 '25

That is how it should be. We are there to serve you and help you. Not to ridicule and chastise. Every snarky comment could’ve been a learning moment just like the officer shared with you.