Stationed on the South side of Auburn, the purpose of Car-1 is to get an officer to the scene of an emergency quickly and carry basic medical equipment as first-response vehicle to medical emergencies on the south side of Auburn.

At a medical call car-1 responds with basic life saving equipment and supplies. At a fire call car-1 often arrives first on scene to size up the incident and radio an initial report to the Derry Fire Dispatch Center and other responding Auburn units. Car-1 may begin mitigating the problem with the tools carried on board, or plan where to place the first arriving apparatus and begin directing operations.

At larger incidents involving many personnel and apparatus, Car-1 becomes the central command post from which all operations are planned and coordinated.