Phoenix Fire Department Station 18 — Local services in Phoenix

This is the most emotional review I have ever done. I called 911 because I could not breathe well. I had fell unconscious on my daughter's wooden bed on the floor and I could not get up. I told my 3-year old daughter to give me the phone. I told the operator that I have a history of blood clots and that I could not breathe, to please send someone to the leasing office so that my manager can open the door. I tried to explain to the crew that I can not breathe, I have a history of blood clots, and that I need to get to the hospital. Without checking my vitals, one of the men repeatedly told me if I can talk that I can breathe and proceeded to ask me random questions. Once the crew finally decided to take me to the ambulance, someone told me that I need to get on the stretcher myself. Remind you that my heart is already stressed due to the inadequate amount of oxygen. After I was carried to the ambulance and given some oxygen therapy, someone said her oxygen is 72% at 10 liters. Rather than strapping the simple mask over my head, these men were telling me to hold the mask to my face as I'm still going in and out of consciousness. One of the crew members is pressing and rubbing his knuckles across my sternum, it was very painful. He told me if I didn't open my eyes he was going to continue to do it. Another man is repeatedly telling me not to touch him as I'm lying there lifeless. I hear someone laughing and joking about how he is going to be embarrassed that he couldn't get the IV in my arm. I continued to pray that God allowed me to make it to the hospital alive. Even at the hospital I can hear one of the crew members telling me not to touch him. As a healthcare worker this was so disheartening. As a Black woman it's not surprising. Needless to say, I had a massive blood clot stuck in a main artery. I had cardiac arrests and was on life support for a few weeks. By the grace of God I am still alive. I did file a complaint and due to the response, led me to follow-up with a review. My message is... please be kind...

I just got a brand new kitten earlier today and she wedged her self under my cabinet in my kitchen. It had been several hours since she went under there and I hadn't heard a peep from her. Was advised by my maintenance at my apartment complex to call the fire department because it was after hours and they didn't have those type of tools. Tried calling the non emergency police department multiple times. Couldn't get through. I was directed to the fire department number from 911. I called around 7:20 pm tonight. The lady who answered the phone immediately had an attitude once I told her that I was worried about a kitten that I just got. Her response? They only "help humans" "fires, car accidents, stuff like that. We don't find your cat." I was fuming and on the verge of tears at this point. She needs to work on her customer service/ compassion skills. Nice to know that when someone's pet, whom they treat like family is irrelevant in possible dangerous circumstances. I understand they don't do pet rescues anymore after my conversation with her tonight and apparently it's just "for tv", but seriously? Have some compassion for people and there fur babies. To some of us they are like family. I didn't want to call the fire department, but It had been hours and I was starting to worry and I live alone. She could of given some helpful tips or information or something. Instead I was met with immediate disgust and annoyance. Her attitude and empathy skills need a LOT of work especially in this line of business. Hopefully she will learn to be more respectful and understanding next time someone runs into a...

I will never call 911 for medical help again in this city. The fire department they sent downplayed my 3 year old child’s symptoms. Same crew who refused to help me previously. We are a black family as well. I say that because they kept trying to coerce me into not seeking medical attention. Not first instance of this happening either. I had pneumonia once with my son and they told me we were fine. Once I said if I die once you guys leave it’ll be on you then they start asking what do I want?! With an attitude. They refused to come in my home and when my son was vomiting and unconscious they told me he looks fine. When they couldn’t even see his face. Wouldn’t even take his vitals. I could barely stand but they expected us to come outside and talk just to be embarrassed and ridiculed. Never once checked our health at all. They gave me attitude like it was inconvenient for them to come out and help us. Kept gaslighting me and being sarcastic. I drove to the hospital myself in pain after having a surgery where I shouldn’t have drove. But the firefighters made me so uncomfortable I didn’t trust them at all. Families of color we are on our own out here. I could definitely sense the hostility coming from them for no reason at all. I’ve filed a complaint but just want others to know what’s going on. They are in the wrong line of work don’t be a civil servant if you don’t want to...