The Fire Trucks are staffed by paramedics. The trucks are frequently able to arrive more quickly than ambulances and initiate critical care.
There are two paramedics on each ambulance. Many Advanced Life Support procedures require two or more paramedics to perform. The crew of the truck assists with these procedures, or drives the ambulance to the hospital while the ambulance crew cares for the patient.
Patients may fall and become stuck in awkward locations. They may be in the upper level of a home and unable to walk down stairs. Some patients are very heavy and unable to walk. All of these situations require extra personnel to assist with safe patient movement.