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Fire Department

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1. When are consumer fireworks permitted?

See the:

2022 Consumer Fireworks Permitted Dates (PDF)

2023 Consumer Fireworks Permitted Dates (PDF).

2. What is my Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating?

Currently, the city ISO rating is a class 3. The department recommends you contact your insurance company to make sure this is reflected in your premiums. A lower number means you pay less insurance.

3. I live just outside of the City -- Why is my ISO rating different from the City’s?

Your Insurance Service Offices rating is based on many factors, which are hard to explain in a short space. It is dependant on whether each city or township has its own fire department, response times, water system infrastructure such as hydrants, number of people on the department and the equipment you carry on the trucks. There are so many variables. You can go to the Tyrone Township's website for more information on your ISO rating if you live in Tyrone Township.

4. Where is my closest fire hydrant?

Your best bet is to walk around your neighborhood and look for the nearest hydrant.

5. Do you offer CPR Classes?

The department does not sponsor any CPR classes through the city. We do have a few members of the department that will provide this service on their own time who can teach these classes. We also have contacts for other people in the immediate area who can teach classes. Call the fire station at 810-629-8595 and leave a message for the medical officer with your name and number so they may call you back.

6. Do you offer instructions on how to properly install a car seat?

No, we do not, but there are classes and child safety seat checks that you can attend in the area. Please contact the receptionist at the hospital you use for more information on classes, or use the internet and go to SafeKids.com.

7. How often should I change my smoke alarm battery?

You should replace you smoke detector batteries once a year at least and/or follow your manufacturer's instructions for replacement. Usually, in the spring or fall when we set our clocks back, we remind you to change your batteries. October is Fire Prevention Month, and this is also a reminder to change your batteries in the fall. You should test your smoke detector once a month to make sure it is working properly. If your detector is set off constantly by cooking, it will wear out the batteries sooner and you will need to replace them sooner. A chirping sound or constant beep usually indicates low batteries, but models differ from one another. The bottom line is that you have one and change the battery at least once a year. More information can be found at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

8. How often should I replace my smoke alarm?

Each manufacturer is different for these products. It has been recommended in the past that every 10 years you should replace your smoke detector. In recent years some manufacturers have recommended every 6 years. Please refer to your manual that came with your smoke detector or visit the company's website. More information can be found at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

9. Can I bring my child in to see the fire trucks?

The department's Fire Prevention Officer schedules all organized station tours and fire prevention activities at local schools. If you happen to be walking by the station and see cars in the parking lot or the bay doors up you can stop in and see if we have someone available to give you a tour. We are happy to accommodate you in most cases except if we are in the middle of a training exercise or an emergency situation where we can't spare anyone. If this is the case, we will take your name and telephone number and give you a call and schedule a time with you.

10. Do I need to call the fire station before I burn?

Residents of Tyrone Township should refer to the Tyrone Township website. City of Fenton residents are ownly allowed to have a recreational fire. No permit is needed but you must follow the rules. 

11. Can I have a campfire?

Yes, provided you follow the rules: please see the Ordinance Regarding Open Burning (PDF). Residents of Tyrone Township must obtain burn permits from the Tyrone Township offices. For current regulations please consult Tyrone Township. In the City of Fenton, you are allowed to do certain things with an outdoor fire. Please see the Ordinance Regarding Open Burning (PDF).

12. Does the fire department fill swimming pools?

The department does not fill swimming pools. There are pool companies in the area with large tanker trucks that can do this for you. We will sometimes fill a dunk tank that is used at a local event where the fire department participates in that event to explain fire prevention to children. These types of events need to be pre-approved by the Fire Chief.

13. I have some stuffed animals -- Can the fire department use them?

The department carries on its rescue truck a small variety of stuffed animals for children involved in car accidents. We give them away to help ease a child's mind when unfortunate things happen. The police department also uses stuffed animals in tough situations as well, to help calm a child. While we do need to keep stuffed animals on hand, please contact either the Fire Chief or Police Chief before dropping off stuffed animals to determine if the supply is low or not. We do not have the storage room to stockpile them. All stuffed animals should be in good condition and clean, no rips or tears. Thank you to those who have donated them in the past; they help bring a smile to a child's face.

14. What type of smoke alarm/carbon monoxide detector does the Fire Department recommend?

The department does not recommend or endorse any particular brand or model of smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector. There are many different brands and models on the market today, and they vary in cost. The goal is to have at least one working detector on each level of the home and outside every sleeping area. You can find recommendations on smoke detectors, along with guidance on how and where to install them at the National Fire Protection Association website.

15. Do you accept hazardous materials (batteries, mercury, etc.)?

The fire department does not accept any of these things. Each community in our surrounding area usually sponsors a hazardous materials drop-off day each year where you can take old paint, oil, etc. to a drop-off location for proper disposal. Contact your local governing body and ask about hazardous waste drop-off days and locations.

16. How do I know which fire department will respond to my address?

All residents within the City of Fenton city limits are served by the fire station at 205 E. Caroline St. Residents of Tyrone Township should view this map that shows which of the three fire departments that serve the township cover your address. 

17. Are you hiring? How can I become a firefighter?

The fire department is always seeking qualified applicants that can help the community. We are particularly in need and looking for daytime firefighters. Learn more about the requirements and fill out an application to join the department.

18. How far is the fire station from my house? How long will it take the fire department to respond to my emergency?

Our fire station is located at 205 E Caroline Street in the City of Fenton, located centrally in the downtown area. From here we respond to all calls, including those in Tyrone Township. Response times vary depending on personnel available at the time, time of day, traffic and weather conditions, etc. We strive to get to your call for help as quickly and safely as possible to help you out.

19. Why are the Severe Weather Sirens going off?

The Severe Weather sirens sound for testing purposes on the first Saturday of the month at 1 pm from March through November. They also sound when severe weather is present in the immediate area, which means Take cover. Testing does not occur when severe weather is present, to avoid confusion. When the sirens sound it is a 3-minute blast. There is no all-clear signal. The siren will continue on 3-minute intervals as long as there is a threat from severe weather.

20. Where is the fire station located? Are you the one on Owen Road?

Our fire station is located at 205 E Caroline Street in the City of Fenton, located centrally in the downtown area. We are located across from the Fenton Library in the area of The State Bank near the intersection of N Leroy and Silver Lake Roads.

21. I live in an apartment complex. Is it ok to have my barbecue grill on the balcony?

No, the law does not allow this and too many fires that cause major damage start on balconies of apartment complexes. Because there is a higher risk to loss of life in a multiple occupancy structure like this, grills, hibachis and other such outdoor cooking is strictly prohibited. For more information, see this flyer about apartment grilling.

22. My carbon monoxide alarm is sounding. What should I do?

• Call 911 and report what is happening.
• Immediately leave your residence and wait for the fire department to arrive. 
• Once there, we will send in a team with special monitoring equipment that will take air readings and determine the next appropriate action.

For more information on carbon monoxide, including the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, go to the National Fire Protection Association's carbon monoxide page.

23. I had a fire at my residence last week. How do I go about getting a copy of the Incident Report for my insurance company? Is there a charge for this report?

Call the station (629-8595) during normal business hours to request a copy of a report. Typically there is not a charge for this service; however, in certain cases, there may be.

24. Can you tell me if the Fire Department has any records regarding environmental issues at this particular location? (Underground gas tanks, spills, etc.)

The fire department does not keep any records on file regarding environmental issues with particular sites. You can contact the city building department, Genesee County Drain Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for issues regarding this information.