Why do your fire trucks use lights and sirens, even in the middle of the night when there is no traffic?

The purpose of emergency warning equipment is to let drivers and pedestrians know that an emergency vehicle is on the way to an emergency. By Virginia state law, we do have certain privileges extended to us. Those being, to carefully proceed through controlled intersections and travel against the designated flow of traffic. These privileges have rules that the legislation and department policy put on the drivers of these emergency vehicles. The main rule is that we cannot do these things unless there are lights flashing and sirens going. Even in the middle of the night.

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1. Why do your fire trucks use lights and sirens, even in the middle of the night when there is no traffic?
2. Why does a fire engine come when I only request an ambulance?
3. Why do you send so many fire vehicles to a fire, especially a small fire?
4. I saw a City of Salem fire truck at a grocery store and some of the firefighters were inside shopping for food. Why do firefighters use fire trucks for non-emergency purposes while they are on duty?
5. How do I arrange to tour a fire station?
6. How can I get a copy of a fire incident or medical incident report?
7. What do you do with my personal information after I call 911?
8. How can I get a smoke detector from the fire department? Will you change the batteries?
9. Where can I go to have my child safety seat inspected or installed?
10. How do I dispose of hypodermic needles?
11. Is there open burning in the City of Salem?
12. Where can I find more information on fire training, emergency management and the like?
13. I need information that I couldn't find on your site. What now?