Springfield, MO Fire Department

We celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Fire Station #7, 2129 E Sunshine, on July 16.

HEATSTROKE DEATHS OF CHILDREN IN VEHICLES

According to the National Safety Council, the number of child hot car deaths for 2023 was 29. So far, as of July 3, 2024, seven deaths have been reported, with the youngest victim only being 2 months old. On average, 37 children, under the age of 15, die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. Research has shown that vehicles become dangerously hot quickly, even when the outside temperature is moderate. With an outside air temperature of 72°F, the internal vehicle temperature can reach 93°F in 30 minutes and 117°F in less than an hour. Follow these simple tips to prevent a tragedy from happening to you:

•Stop and look at the backseat before exiting a parked vehicle. Consider leaving your wallet or purse in the backseat to force you to check.
•Ask childcare providers to immediately call if your child doesn’t show up for care as expected.
•Lock your vehicle to prevent unsupervised access and a child getting trapped inside.
•Keep car keys away from children and teach them that the inside of a car should never be used as a play area.
•Act fast! Call 911 and take action if you see a child – or a pet – alone in a locked car.

There’s something magical about fireworks, especially for kids. The brightly colored illuminations light up the sky, and the resounding booms generate excitement. But when you use fireworks, you quite literally play with fire. And when children get involved, it can end in disaster.

While it’s common for parents to allow kids to hold sparklers, these are far more dangerous than most people think. Sparklers burn at around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt some metals. Many children suffer burns when a sparkler touches their hands or they drop the sparkler on their feet. Sparklers can also cause clothing to catch fire.

This past year has marked significant milestones and achievements reflecting our continuous growth and advancement. Please take moment to look through our 2023 Annual Report: https://www.springfieldmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/66162/2023-Fire-Department-Annual-Report.

CALLING KIDS OF ALL AGES….Make sure you stop and see the Tower from Station 11 at the Cox Kid’s Safety Fair. There will be fun activities, a chance to see the inside of a firetruck and meet a few of the firefighters who serve our community. We hope to see you there!

We responded to more than 3,000 calls for service during the first quarter of the year, and our two naloxone (Narcan) programs continue to make an impact on opioid-related fatalities. Read all about it at https://www.springfieldmo.gov/DocumentCenter/View/66079/SFD-2024-First-Quarter-Fire-Safety-Report

The Springfield Fire Department was a recipient of the Partners in Excellence award from Springfield Public Schools (SPS) in recognition of outstanding service to the students, teachers, and staff within the school district. The long-standing partnership between SPS and the Springfield Fire Department has afforded the opportunity for firefighters to provide fire prevention education to PreK-5th grade students each October. Additionally, fire safety educators teach Hands-Only CPR to high school students and provide essential recommendations to each school’s administrative staff during annual fire drills throughout the year.

We are fortunate to have a lasting partnership between SPS and Springfield Fire Department to continue providing essential services to SPS students for many years to come.

Congratulations!

Throughout our community, multiple local, state, and federal agencies are more ready than ever to respond and help people as they recover from disaster, but it is what members of a community do to prepare for disasters that often determines the outcome.
Households that are prepared can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that surround a disaster. They can be ready to evacuate their homes, survive a period of confinement to the home, make their stays in public shelters more comfortable, and take care of their basic medical needs. They can even save each other’s lives.
The American Red Cross is here to serve our community and ready to help you prepare in advance, before a disaster strikes.
These educational programs are national, standardized, and free for everyone in the community and taught by certified presenters. Click on the image below to see how you can learn more about these presentation and schedule one for your family.

On Saturday, March 2, 2024, the Springfield Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 1300 Block of E. Cambridge. The investigation revealed the cause of the fire was due to overheated lithium batteries in a remote controlled car, resulting in significant amount of property damage. The fire department has responded to 3 such incidents in just the last 6 months. These lithium-ion battery fires were caused by external factors, such as short-circuit, overcharge, and over-discharge. Across the nation in 2021, 38% of all lithium battery incidents were battery or device failures.
Lithium-ion batteries are increasingly found in devices and systems that the public and first responders use or interact with daily. While these batteries provide an effective and efficient source of power, the likelihood of them overheating, catching on fire, and even leading to explosions increases when they are damaged or improperly used, charged, or stored.
Click on the link below to learn tips on protecting your family and your home.
https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/lithium-ion-batteries

As the weather turns warm and many are outside enjoying the warm weather, the Springfield Fire Department wants to remind everyone of the outside fire regulations within the City of Springfield.

Section 3.7.1.1 of the International Fire Code, as adopted by the City of Springfield, prohibits the burning of any waste materials including, but not limited to, household trash, tree limbs, brush, and yard clippings.

Please take a few minutes to review the information below so you and your family can have a great summer.

Recreational Fire: A recreational fire is used for pleasure, ceremonial, cooking, warmth, or similar purposes and must adhere to the following guidelines:

A recreational fire cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height and there must be a means of extinguishing the fire present at all times.

A fire will not be allowed if the winds are 15 miles per hour or greater.

The fuel may consist of only dry, seasoned firewood. The fire shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible materials.

The fire may be ignited by using only a small quantity of paper.

The fire shall not burn for longer than 4 hours and must be extinguished by midnight of the day it was started.

A fire will not be allowed if it creates or adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation (if the smoke or odor emissions is staying low to the ground and is offensive).

Bonfire: A bonfire is classified as a large open air fire used as part of a celebration or large outside gathering. Anyone wishing to have a bonfire must first obtain a Bonfire Permit issued by the Springfield Fire Department and there is no fee requirement. All bonfires must adhere to the following guidelines.

The bonfire must be located not closer than 50 feet from any combustible structures, materials, or hazards.

A bonfire cannot exceed 5 feet in diameter and 5 feet in height and shall burn no longer than 4 hours or past night of the date of permit issue, whichever comes first.

An appropriate means of extinguishment must be present at the burning site and the fire shall be constantly attended until extinguishment.

must be a means of extinguishing the fire present at all times.

A fire will not be allowed if the winds are 15 miles per hour or greater and must be verified prior to the event by calling the Fire Dispatcher at 417-862-7911

Total fuel size is limited to a maximum of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

The fuel may consist of only dry, seasoned firewood. The fire shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible materials.

The fire may be ignited by using only a small quantity of paper.

The fire shall not burn for longer than 4 hours and must be extinguished by midnight of the day it was started.

Spring is just around the corner and it’s once again that time of year to SPRING AHEAD! On Sunday, March 10, 2024 Missouri and Arkansas residents will turn their clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time. This is a great opportunity to change their home’s smoke alarm batteries as well. Because working smoke alarms are a critical element of home fire safety, b is helpful information as you take steps to protect your family and ensure you are always prepared in an emergency.

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.

Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

When replacing a battery, follow manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer’s instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) that must be used. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.

Do you need new smoke alarms? The Springfield Fire Department, as part of Project Red Zone, installs smoke alarms in homes FREE OF CHARGE! Just call us at 417-874-2300 or submit your request online at springfieldmo.gov/fire

We're pleased to announce that we've achieved reaccreditation by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International/Center for Public Safety Excellence. Fewer than 1% of fire agencies worldwide are accredited. Full release at https://www.springfieldmo.gov/civicalerts.aspx?AID=10948.

Congratulations to our new Lieutenants

Spring is just around the corner and it’s once again that time of year to SPRING AHEAD! On Sunday, March 10, 2024 Missouri and Arkansas residents will turn their clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time. This is a great opportunity to change their home’s smoke alarm batteries as well. Because working smoke alarms are a critical element of home fire safety, b is helpful information as you take steps to protect your family and ensure you are always prepared in an emergency.
• Smoke alarms with non-replaceable 10-year batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years. If the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low, replace the entire smoke alarm right away.
• Smoke alarms with any other type of battery need a new battery at least once a year. If that alarm chirps, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
• When replacing a battery, follow manufacturer’s list of batteries on the back of the alarm or manufacturer’s instructions. Manufacturer’s instructions are specific to the batteries (brand and model) that must be used. The smoke alarm may not work properly if a different kind of battery is used.
Do you need new smoke alarms? The Springfield Fire Department, as part of Project Red Zone, installs smoke alarms in homes FREE OF CHARGE! Just call us at 417-874-2300 or submit your request online at springfieldmo.gov/fire

Congratulations on each of your achievements

SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDEDNESS WEEK
MARCH 4 – 8, 2024

As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, a tornado drill and a test of NOAA Weather Radio’s warning alert system will take place and coincide with the testing of outdoor warning sirens being done by many communities in Missouri and Kansas.

in Missouri and Kansas, the annual tornado drill has been scheduled for Wednesday March 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM. As in years past, the National Weather Service (NWS) will utilize the Required Weekly Test (RWT) EAS code to initiate the exercise. We recognize that this code will not trigger an EAS activation.

The Springfield Fire Department would like to make sure the community is prepared for severe weather this spring. Now is the time to take a moment to practice your severe weather emergency sheltering plan.

At the very least, answer this question – Where would I take shelter if a tornado were approaching me right now? The best shelters are in a basement, or in an interior room on the lowest floor of the building away from windows and exterior doors.

It is important to have multiple ways to receive hazardous weather information. Having a battery backup weather alert radio is one of the best ways."

For more information on the Preparedness Week, please visit

Severe Weather Preparedness Week 2024 The National Weather Service will issue a Routine Weekly Test (RWT) to NOAA Weather Radios to initiate the drill. In Missouri, this is a change from past years in which a true Tornado Warning was issued.

Join the ranks of heroes and become a ! 🚒🔥 ✅👩‍🚒‍ Save lives ✅👨‍🚒‍ Serve your community ✅🚒 Never a dull day Ready for the challenge? Deadline ends today! Apply at www.springfieldmo.gov/jobs!