If you are experiencing a fire emergency, personal crisis, or have information that could help solve a criminal investigation, there are many first responders who work in emergency services available to call for assistance. Here are three types of emergency personnel and what some of their typical duties involve. 

1. Police Officers

Police officers are there to offer protection, advice and respond to all kinds of calls and situations ranging from traffic violations to criminal complaints such as burglaries and homicides. Officers also work with specialists such as medical examiners who perform autopsies to ensure that all cases are investigated fairly and thoroughly. Some more specific types of law enforcement officers include:

• Detectives who explore and analyze crime scenes and the circumstances surrounding a crime or missing persons cases
• State troopers who enforce safety on the highways and within communities 
• Federal investigators who work for agencies like the FBI and Secret Service
• Fire marshals who investigate crime scenes related to arson and ensure compliance with fire safety laws
• Correctional officers who work to maintain safety and security in jails and prisons

Depending on your needs and circumstances, one of these types of law enforcement officers can be called to assist. 

2. Firefighters

Firefighters respond to incidents where smoke, fire, or certain gases and chemicals infiltrate the air, and there is a need for containment that a simple fire extinguisher cannot handle. Firefighters are also trained to respond to suspected cases of overly high levels of carbon monoxide, which is a colorless and odorless gas that goes undetected to the human nose. If your house does not have a carbon monoxide detector, keep in mind that symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, blurred vision, headache and shortness of breath. If any of these duties interest you and you are wondering, “how do I become a firefighter in Texas,” look into training schools in your local area. 

3. Emergency Medical Technicians

EMTs respond to emergency calls for medical assistance and provide the person in distress with such things as CPR, oxygen and certain medications. The situations that EMTs respond to range from car accidents and gunshot wounds to someone concerned they are having a heart attack or who is in severe mental distress. Requirements to become an EMT include maintaining a CPR certification and passing various examinations. 

If you are ever in a situation where you need emergency assistance, one of these three types of emergency personnel can help.