Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the fire department need to look at EMS Transport billing?

A: Maintaining a superior level of service requires ongoing financial support from our residents. As the requests for service continue to increase, fire department income has not kept pace.

Why do they ask so many questions when I dial 911? Why don't they just send help?

A: The first question a dispatcher will ask when you dial 911 is "What is your emergency?" They need to know exactly what type of help you help. Our specially trained dispatchers (referred to as call-takers) will help you in this decision. These call-takers will then verify your address and determine the general nature of the call. As the call-taker is talking to you, they are entering data into a Computer-Aided Dispatch system. They dispatch the call very quickly, even while you are answering questions. The call-taker will continue asking you questions about your emergency so they can determine if additional help should be sent, and to provide you with "Pre-Arrival Instructions," such as giving step-by-step instructions on CPR or (as happens more often than you might think) instructions for delivering a baby.

Q: Why does a fire truck come to my house when I call for an ambulance?

A: Our firefighters are all trained as EMT/Paramedics and they can provide first response in a medical emergency. If our paramedics are busy or an on another call, a fire engine, ladder truck or another vehicle, may be much closer and arrive more quickly. Firefighters can provide life-saving intervention (such as CPR), remove the victim from a hazardous environment, dress wounds, and other life support until the medic arrives. The paramedics personnel then perform advanced life support techniques (using drug protocols, intubation, etc.) and transport the patient to the proper facility.

Q: Where can I get child locator decals?

A: In the interest of community safety, the Jackson Township Fire Department does NOT recommend that "child" or "invalid" locator decals be placed on home windows for a variety of reasons.

First, the average family moves often – on average about once every five years. Each time a house changes hands, room use can also change. Even a single family will switch rooms with time, making the decal meaningless.

Even within a short time period, children sleep in rooms other than their own, leave their room when frightened, or spend the night away and, therefore, will often not be in the room marked with a decal.

Most importantly, a decal can also be an invitation to a burglar – or worse – to enter through that window because the occupant of that room would present less of a threat

Keep in mind that rescuing people is a priority for all firefighters. They are trained to make a thorough and systematic search for anyone inside a burning building as soon as they arrive. Spending valuable time looking for windows marked with decals, with no assurance anyone would be in that room, could delay help to anyone still left inside.

Firefighters could also be subject to additional risks in entering a building at a marked window rather than following standard search and rescue procedures.

The most effective way to protect yourself and your family in the event of a fire in your house is to:

Be sure your smoke detectors are working properly.

Prepare and practice a family fire escape plan.

Q: Where can I get fire extinguishers refilled?

A:The Jackson Township Fire Department does not service or refill fire extinguishers. Look in the "yellow pages" under "fire equipment" to locate companies that do.

Q: Where can I report suspicious arson activity?

A: If you have reason to believe that a person is setting a fire or has just set a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Be prepared to describe the suspect, including physical features and clothing as well as the location and nature of the suspicious activity.

If you have information regarding a fire that has already occurred and is under investigation, please call (614) 875-5588.

Q: Why is my smoke alarm making a funny sound (chirping)?

A: Any time your smoke detector goes off, it's important to pay attention. If it's sounding its loud alarm because it senses the presence of smoke, check your home thoroughly. If you smell smoke and are unable to locate a fire, call 9-1-1 and we'll send an engine to make sure that a fire isn't smoldering in a hidden area and it won't cost anything. If you don't smell smoke, the detector may be reacting to the presence of dust, steam, or a small insect or spider. Dust and bugs can be removed by a vacuum cleaner. If steam from a nearby shower is affecting your smoke detector regularly, move the detector to a different spot.

If the detector is just chirping, thumping, or buzzing, it probably means that the battery is low. Replace the battery as soon as possible. Without a working battery, a smoke detector can't do its job and the risk of dying in a fire increases greatly.

Q: Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a building on fire?

A: This is called "venting the roof" or "ventilation." The two main reasons for this practice concern the dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulation in a burning building. It is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment. When a hole is made in the roof because the building is "vented," the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of back draft (explosion) and flashover. Another reason for venting the roof is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading through the attic.

Broken windows can also allow dangerous superheated gases to be ventilated to allow firefighters to safely and quickly rescue trapped occupants and extinguish the fire. By venting the window of a room that is on fire, it actually helps to contain the fire within that room of origin. Otherwise heated gases spread throughout the inside of the house. Breaking the window really prevents a great deal more damage than it appears to cause. n the statement above,

Q: Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?

A: Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. Firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. Discovering that we need more units once we arrive is often too late. We have learned from experience that its better to have too much help than not enough.

structure fire requires a number of people to do all the assigned tasks. Firefighting teams are assigned certain responsibilities such as fire extinguishing, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, safety, accountability and rapid intervention teams when firefighters become trapped or injured.

Q: Where can I find out more information about First aid and CPR Classes?

A: Contact the Fire Department at 614-875-5588 to obtain a list of contacts who conduct these courses?

Q: How do I get my chimney inspected and/or cleaned?
A: The fire department recommends cleaning of chimneys to prevent build-up of creosote and possible chimney fire. We suggest you look in the yellow pages of your phone book under "Chimney Cleaning" or "Chimney Builders & Repairs" for this service.

Q: Who do I contact if I believe a youth may be in jeopardy of becoming, or is, a juvenile firesetter?

A: Contact the Jackson Township Fire Department at 614-875-5588. A firefighter trained in identifying children at risk and fire education will contact you. If you know of a child who shows interest in starting fires and/or playing with fire, please contact the Fire Department. Early intervention is extremely important and may save loss of life and property from a fire started by a child playing with fire.
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Q: My doctor has changed my blood pressure medication and advised me to have my blood pressure taken regularly. Does the Jackson Township Fire Department have a program to help me?

A: You may go to any of our three fire station to have your blood pressure checked. Medical: Equipment clipart

See Fire Station Locations for the nearest fire station.

Q: What kind of fire extinguisher should I buy for my home?

A: Homeowners should buy an extinguisher that can handle class A-B-C fires. This type of extinguisher is designed to extinguish fires that are usually found in the home.

Q: How can I report fire hazards?

A: Fire hazards, including hazards in the workplace, hazardous waste or any other problems that may be a fire hazard may be reported to the Jackson Township Fire Department. All information pertaining to complaints is handled in a confidential manner. A fire hazard complaint may be reported by calling 614-875-5588 or by email: Report a fire hazard

Q: Do I need a carbon monoxide detector in my house?

A: Yes, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced by incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel. This could be caused by an improperly operating gas stove, gas water heater, oil or gas furnace, fireplace or kerosene heater. Even a motor vehicle operating in an enclosed space such as a garage could cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your home.

Q: Why are Dalmatians considered firehouse dogs?

A: Dalmatians have shared the barns and the hunt courses with horses for centuries, so when fire-apparatus was horse-drawn, nearly every firehouse had its resident Dalmatian to help direct the horses, keep the horses company, and guard the firehouse.

The horses are gone from fire stations today, but the Dalmatians aren’t!

Firehouse dogs nearly always were called “Sparky,” so Sparky was the obvious name for NFPA’s fire prevention symbol.

Frequently Asked Firsts

First Volunteer Fire Company in America In 1736 in Philadelphia, PA, Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company, called the Union Fire Company. Franklin served on it as America’s first volunteer fire chief.

First Paid Fire Department in America A large fire in Boston in 1679, led to the organization of the first paid fire department in North America, if not the world. Boston selectman imported a fire engine from England and employed a fire chief, Thomas Atkins, and 12 fire fighters to operate it.

First Firehouse Pole David B. Kenyon, Captain of Engine Company No. 21 of the Chicago Fire Department, was the inventor of the sliding pole in 1878. Information from: A Synoptical History of the Chicago Fire Department published by the Benevolent Association of the Paid Fire Department of Chicago, Chicago, 1908. The recently built Fire Station No. 1 is also equipped with a pole. It is the fastest and safest way from the sleeping area to the fire engine, taking 26 seconds to go down the stairs to the fire engine vs. only 10 seconds by using the fire pole!

First Automatic Sprinkler The idea of automatic sprinkler protection dates back to about 1860. The first automatic sprinkler system parented in the United States was developed by Philip W. Pratt in 1872 in Abington, MA. From 1852 to 1885, perforated pipe systems were used extensively in textile mills throughout New England, and from 1874 to 1878 Henry S. Parmalee of New Haven, Connecticut, continued design improvements on his invention: the first practical automatic sprinkler head.