Unfortunately, many fire alarm systems are activated in circumstances other than fire or pre-fire conditions, including construction around alarm sensors, routine maintenance, and accidental alarm activations.  This has resulted in many unnecessary fire department responses – a waste of fuel, a cause of wear and tear on fire trucks, and most importantly, a diversion of fire fighters from actual emergency situations.

In 2011, the Salt Lake City Council adopted an ordinance aimed at reducing the number of unnecessary fire alarm responses.  Under the ordinance, the department has the ability to send warning notices or impose fines on businesses generating “nuisance” fire alarms, on a tiered basis over 365 days:

• First:  Warning letter
• Second:  Warning letter
• Third:  $125.00 fine
• Fourth:  $250.00 fine
• Fifth:  $375.00 fine
• Sixth & Above:  $500.00 fine

There are several ways businesses can avoid a fine.  These include:

• Performing annual preventative maintenance on fire alarm systems
• Notifying the Fire Department at 801-799-4231 if maintenance is being performed on an alarm system
• Immediately contacting & cancelling the Fire Department at 801-799-4231 if an alarm accidentally trips – if you contact us before we arrive, no problem

For more information, please contact the Salt Lake City Fire Prevention Bureau at 801-799-4150

Full text of the ordinance available here

Photo: Gavin Kerslake

October 9th through the 15th is National Fire Prevention Week. Salt Lake City will be hosting an open house at all fire stations. In addition, the Fire Prevention Bureau will host special activities for family members of all ages on Oct. 13th at Fire Station #5 and on Oct 14th at Fire Station #7. There will be a variety of fun activities designed to make safety education fun and alluring.

Residential Sprinkler Trailer – Station 7

This trailer allows participants to see a side-by-side demonstration of a typical house fire with and without a residential sprinkler system and see the difference a sprinkler system can make.

Vehicle Extrication Demo – Station 5

Firefighters will demonstrate the special skills and equipment needed to safely remove an injured person from a severely damaged vehicle.

Public Utilities Presentation

The Salt Lake Public Utilities Department will be available to teach proper shut off of gas and electric connections to a home or business. In the event of large disasters citizens may need to know this information for the safety of themselves and neighbors.

Smoke Detectors

A simple demonstration will be given which may include selecting a quality smoke detector, installation, and proper maintenance. Free smoke detectors will be given out while supplies last!

TRAX Safety

In light of recent tragedies involving vehicles, pedestrians, and trains; this reminder will help children understand the dangers of playing around TRAX platforms and tracks. Fun safety education is the best way to share safety tips with children.

Safety Trailer

This fun and exciting trailer allows children the opportunity to learn how to and correct potential hazards and safety in the home. 

Children Activities

Many of the activities scheduled for the October Fire Prevention Week will include ways children can learn how to be safe in and around their homes and in the community. Children’s activities will include a fire related obstacle course, fire truck tours, turnouts try on with pictures, and food.

Information

October 13th 5:30 PM-8:30 PM

Station 5: 1023 E 900 S

October 14th – 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Station 7: 273 N 1000 W

For more information please contact Kim Matthews – 799-4114

When:  Friday, July 1^st, 2011 05:30-08:00                             

Where:  SLC Fire Training Center, 1600 South Industrial Road                             

The 4^th of July weekend is here and the Salt Lake City Fire Department would like to remind the public to have fun, and to be safe. 

On Friday, firefighters will discuss and demonstrate firework safety for the media.  Information regarding restrictions and changes to the firework law will be available.  However the primary goal is to inform the public on how to use fireworks safely.  The demonstrations will include safe practices, display of the new “cake” fireworks, improper use of fireworks, and child safety around fireworks.

We have scheduled the displays around common “cut in” times for any stations desiring live shots.  In between cut in times, firefighters will be available for interviews.  Proposed shot sequence:

Arrive/Setup: 05:30

• 10 sec teaser display of “cake” fireworks:  05:56 (approx)
• 2 ½ min discussion/display of new fireworks and basic safety:  06:07 (approx)
• 1 ¼ min discussion about proper disposal and extinguishment:  06:38 (approx)
• 10 sec teaser:  07:07 (approx)
• 2 ½ min display and discussion of improper use: 07:13 (approx) – Includes setting off a display inside of our burn box
• 1 ¼ min child safety, focus on sparklers: 07:35 (approx)

Contact:  Mark Bednarik at (801) 550-0121.

Visuals: Firework displays, fire engine, firefighters performing demonstrations

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Date of Release: June 7th 2011

Firefighters go Door-to-Door to Warn Residents

Salt Lake City Firefighters are taking to the streets in the foothills to warn residents about the dangers of wildfires. Heavy springtime moisture has prompted vegetation growth that will dry out in the summer heat, creating a large wildfire potential. This potential can directly impact residents living near urban/wilderness interfaces. SLC Fire Marshal Martha Ellis has helped implement the Ready! Set! Go! Program in SLC, which is a wildfire action plan that involves residents before the fire happens. The program educates residents how to prepare their house, family, and pets for wildfires. Information about the program, to include compelling videos, can be found at http://www.slcfpb.com.

SLC firefighters will go door-to-door this week with information about the program. They will talk with residents and educate them on protection measures.

What: Media is invited to walk with firefighters and speak with chief officers regarding this program.

When: Wednesday, June 8th (Chief officers will be walking this day); Friday, June 10th – Briefing at 09:30 then out walking until about 17:00

Where: Briefing (09:30) at SLC Fire Station #4; 830 East 11th Ave Contact: Mark Bednarik (801) 540-7195

Visuals: Fire station, fire engines, firefighters walking door-to-door, chief officers

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Uploaded & posted with permission from Fire Safe Montana, http://www.firesafemt.org.  Additional wildland fire resources can be found on the SLC Fire Prevention Bureau website: http://www.slcfpb.com

Part I:

Part II:

Ready, Set, Go!

Firewise Communities

Preparing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Utah Living with Fire

Wildland fire information and updates can be found on the Salt Lake City Fire Prevention Bureau website: SLCFPB.com