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Fire Department

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1. What is smart 911?

Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile at www.safety.smart911.com for their household that includes any information they want 9-1-1 and response teams to have in the event of an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information. Responders can be aware of many details they would not have known previously, and now fire crews can arrive at a house fire knowing how many people live in the home and the location of bedrooms, EMS can be advised of allergies or specific medical conditions and police can have the photo of a missing child in seconds rather than minutes or hours.

2. Do I need a permit for a campfire?

You do not need a permit for a small campfire in the backyard. It needs to be clean burning wood no brush,trash or yard waste permitted.

3. I Iive in the country can I burn brush on my property?

We allow home owners to burn brush or yard waste in agricultural zones. If you are unsure with your zoning please contact the township.(616-457-2340) You must get a permit which is issued on a yearly basis. Permits are available at the township offices located at 1515 Baldwin and are free. You must call the Township offices the day you decided to burn. If the fire department is called due to excessive smoke or interference with neighbors you may be asked to put the fire out.

4. I was told any fire station will check car seats?

We do not check car seats at any Georgetown fire station.
Safe Kids Western Michigan - events in our area - http://www.safekids.org/coalition/safe-kids-west-michigan

Eastern Ottawa county residents can contact Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids 616-391-7233 - http://www.helendevoschildrens.org/injuryprevention

Northern Ottawa county residents can contact Safe Kids West Michigan 231-672-4910 - http://www.mercyhealthmuskegon.com/safe-kids-west-michigan

South Holland and Allegan county residents can also contact Allegan County Sheriff's Dept 269-673-0500 ext 4437

5. How do I become a firefighter for Georgetown fire department?

We are always willing to look at qualified individuals that would like to join our team. Applications here. http://mi-georgetown.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/585 This will give you idea of what is required to become a firefighter. If you have further questions please contact the fire chief. Application

6. I have a newer home with smoke detectors powered all the time. Do they have batteries?

Yes all smoke detectors have batteries. Most smoke detectors have a standard 9 volt battery including detectors that are wired to power all the time. These wired detectors need a battery in case of a power outage. You should change the batteries every 6 months.

7. How often should I change my smoke detectors?

10 years is the recommend life span of a smoke detector.

8. How do I check my smoke detector?

Every smoke detector has a test button, usually in the center of the detector. Press the test button and hold for a few seconds. If it is working correctly, the alarm will sound and will automatically stop after a few more seconds. Remember to check your batteries monthly and change the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.

9. Can I call 911 for non emergencies?

When should you use the toll free non-emergency number? 1-800-249-0911 The non-emergency number is to assist the public when the use of 9-1-1 is not an urgent request or life and property are not in danger. The non-emergency number is toll free, and answered twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Call 1-800-249-0911 when there is no immediate danger to life or property. (Non-Emergency). Examples: Animal Control calls (no threat to public safety) Miscellaneous Crimes or any type of incident that has occurred at an earlier time/date that needs a police investigation and/or a report. Miscellaneous calls for service where police or fire assistance would be helpful. Informational requests related to police or fire activity.

10. Do you get cats out of trees?

No. Try opening a can of tuna or cat food and waiting for the cat to get down on its own.

11. Emergency Access - Can we find you?

When the fire department responds to a given location, it may be delayed in arriving if the address is not clearly seen from the street. Although it's fairly easy to spot a column of smoke from a house fire, it's difficult to see someone's heart attack from the street. In a medical emergency, firefighters may waste critical time having to knock on several doors to try and find a correct address. Make sure your address is clearly visible from the street. The numbers should be four inches in height and be reflective.

This problem is compounded in large condominium and apartment complexes. Arriving at a correct address, the engine company finds a huge residential facility with many buildings in the complex. Make sure large identification lettering or numbering is mounted on the side of the building. This is as important as the street address. It would be even better if someone could be standing near the street to direct the fire units to the appropriate apartment.

12. Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that doesn't work? Can you get rid of an old expired one?

Check the Yellow Pages under Fire Extinguishers. The Georgetown Fire Department does not service or dispose of extinguishers.

13. How can I schedule a fire truck or a firefighter at my function?

Call the Georgetown Township Fire Chief, at least three weeks in advance, at (616)457-2340 ext 247.

14. What is my ISO rating?

ISO (sometimes called an insurance rating) is a rating that gauges the fire protection capability of the local fire department to respond to structure fires based on housing densities and distance of structures from (usually 3 to 5 miles) from a fire station. The ISO rating for the Georgetown Township is a 4.

15. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. The Georgetown Fire Department are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen at any given incident.
A computer selects the closest unit to respond to an incident. The fire department's philosophy is to get our firefighters there as soon as possible. In preparation for the worst case scenario, an ambulance often is dispatched as well.
There may be three or more fire department vehicles on the scene for what appears to be a "simple" incident. However, in emergency services we have learned that if we assume something is "simple," we can be horribly mistaken. Plus, we respond as fast as we can prepared to encounter the worst. The winner in these situations will always be the citizen who needs help.

16. Why does the fire department respond to medical emergencies and not just paramedics?

Our firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) or Medical First Responders (MFR's). With our stations in close proximity, we can often arrive prior to the ambulance and begin life saving techniques.

17. How much will I be charged if Georgetown Fire, responds when I call 911?

Our services are paid through taxes collected by the Georgetown Township. Therefore,Georgetown township residents are not charged for fire protection or Medical services. If you require emergency transportation via ambulance or helicopter those entities will charge for the services they render.

18. Who do I call to report a broken hydrant?

Call the main office 8am-5pm Monday - Friday. (616)457-2340. After hours call the nonemergency number for Ottawa county dispatch at 1-800-249-0911.

19. Can I burn yard waste?

Burning yard waste such as leaves, grass and twigs is not permitted for many reasons, as the smoke poses a threat to human health in high density suburban neighborhoods. Persons burning yard waste will be asked to put the fire out and will be cited. We only allow burning in certain conditions, and zoned agricultural. Composting is a better option, as it returns helpful nutrients to the soil. If you don't know your zoning, contact the Township (616)457-2340.

20. When can I shoot off fireworks?

State law protects your right to shoot off fireworks on the following 10 holidays, plus the day before and after each of these holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

21. Where can I get a green reflective address sign for my house?

You can purchase them from the township office located at 1515 Baldwin. The signs are 10.00 dollars per sign.