Fire Department Information & News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire and Emergency Medical Response Statistics

Yearly Comparison

Year - Total Alarms
2002 - 609
2001 - 522
2000 - 476

Alarms by Situation 2002

# Incidents - Alarm Type
262 - EMS Calls
110 - *Other
73 - Personal Injury Accidents
60 - Building Fires
27 - Smoke Investigations
23 - Gas Leak or Other Hazardous Situation
23 - Grass Fires
11 - Power Lines Down
10 - Car Fires
10 - Water & Ice Rescues

*Other includes fire alarms, good intent calls, open burning that is out on arrival, and assistance to other governmental agencies.

 

Fire Department Sponsored Programs

Safe at Home Program

Is a sponsored program created by the Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Division in conjunction with the Michigan Public Advisory Committee to teach fire safety to children between kindergarten and twelfth grade. We have been involved in this program since its beginning and have had a tremendous amount of success.

Preschool Programs

Are classes we do to teach preschool children about fire safety. Our fire prevention fire fighters go to the schools or invite the children to our stations to teach them about fire safety basics. We have found that it is worthwhile to start teaching the children about fire safety at a young age.

Fire Department Tours

Call (810) 629-1911 to set up a time to bring your group for a tour of our stations.

 

Information About Paid On-Call Fire Fighters

The Fenton Township Fire Department is looking for people to join the Department. Some of the job requirements are as follows:

  • Must live within 6 miles of a station
  • Must possess a valid Michigan drivers license
  • Must be in good physical condition
  • Must submit to a physical exam

Basic functions of the job include:

  • Perform specialized duties under emergency conditions
  • Drive and operate all fire apparatus and rescue equipment
  • Must be able to lift equipment weighing 50 pounds or more above waist level
  • Must have a 'team player' attitude
  • Must have good communication skills to deal with other fire fighters and the public

If you are interested in more information or for an application please stop by Fenton Township Fire Station #1.

 

Fire Safety Tips (taken from our friends at Cascade Township)

Smoke Detectors

Two-thirds of all fires involving fatalities happen in homes between the hours of 8 pm and 8 am. Three-fifths of America's home fire fatalities occur in homes without smoke detectors. A smoke detector cannot save your life if it is not working.

  • Dead, missing or disconnected batteries are the principle cause of non-working detectors
  • Test once a month (replace any battery too weak to sound the alarm)
  • Heed the warning, when the detector chirps the battery is low
  • Replace the batteries twice per year on the same date (pick two special days so you will remember to replace the batteries)
  • Nothing lasts forever, after 10 years replace it

Dealing with False Alarms

  • DO NOT disconnect the detector, RELOCATE IT
  • If false alarms persist, replace the detector (try a different manufacturer)

Types of Smoke Detectors

  • There are basically two types, ionization (most common) and photoelectric
  • Any approved type will work

How Many Do I Need?

  • Inside and outside each sleeping area on each level, including the basement
  • For hearing impaired you can obtain detectors with flashing lights
  • Required smoke detectors must be hard-wired, battery backup, and interconnected - That way when one detector is activated all detectors will sound

Where Do I Install My Detector?

  • Wall mounted units should be installed within the top 6 to 12 inches from the ceiling
  • Ceiling mounted units at least 6 inches from the nearest wall
  • Do not mount near registers, doors, windows, or ceiling fans

Escaping an Emergency

Plan Your Escape

During a fire, there's no time for planning. Sit down with your family and plan for escaping a fire.

  • Draw a floor plan of your home and mark down two ways to exit from every room, especially sleeping areas - discuss the escape routes with every member in your home
  • Agree on a meeting place outside your home where everyone will gather after escaping to wait for the fire department - this allows for you to know that everyone got out - advise the fire department if anyone is trapped inside the burning building
  • Practice your escape plan at least twice a year - have a fire drill in your home - appoint someone to monitor and have everyone participate - get out quickly, but be careful
  • Make your exit drill realistic - pretend that a few exits are blocked off by fire and practice alternative routes - pretend the lights are out and that a few a few of your escape routes are filled with smoke

Be Prepared

Make sure everyone in the household can unlock all doors and windows quickly, even in the dark. Windows or doors with security bars need to be equipped with quick release devices and everyone in the household should know how to use them.

If you live in a two-story house, and must escape from the second story window, be sure there is a safe way to reach the ground. Make special arrangements for children, older adults and persons with disabilities. People who have difficulty moving should have a phone in their sleeping area and if possible should sleep on the ground floor.

Test doors before opening them. Kneel or crouch at the door, reach up as high as you can and touch the door, the knob and the space between the door and its frame with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, use another escape route. If the door is cool, open it with caution.

If you are trapped, close all doors between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a window and signal for help with a light colored cloth or a flashlight. If there’s a phone in the room, call 911 and tell them exactly where you are.

Get Out Fast

In case of fire, don’t stop for anything. Do not try to rescue possessions or pets. Go directly to your meeting place and then call 911 from a neighbor’s phone. Every member of your household should know how to call for help.

Crawl low under smoke. Smoke contains deadly gases and heat rises. During a fire, cleaner air will be near the floor. If you encounter smoke when using your primary exit route, use your alternate escape plan. If you must exit through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees keeping your head 12 to 24 inches above the floor.

Once You Are Out - Stay Out

Once you are out of your house don’t go back for any reason. If people are trapped, the firefighters have the best chance of rescuing them. The heat and smoke of a fire are overwhelming. Firefighters have the training, experience and protective equipment needed to enter a burning building.

Preventative Measures

  • Install smoke detectors on each level of your house and by every bedroom
  • Check your smoke detector batteries at least twice a year
  • Have your chimney and heating system inspected annually
  • Never overload electrical outlets and keep cords out of harms way
  • Display large address numbers that the Fire Department can easily see from the road