FIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION
The Valdese Fire Department provides a variety of services to its
citizens and business owners. Services rendered include:
INSPECTIONS
Each year every business within the city limits of Valdese is inspected
for fire hazards and compliance with the fire code. The fire code is a set
of laws and regulations set forth by the North Carolina Building Code
Council that addresses conditions hazardous to life and property from fire
explosion, hazardous materials storage, handling or use, and the use and
occupancy of buildings and premises.
All buildings are inspected with the exception of one and two family
dwellings.
Inspections are free of charge unless fire code violations are not met
within a designated period of time. Citations can and will be issued for
non-compliance in accordance the Town of Valdese Fire Prevention and
Protection Ordinance.
New businesses need to contact the fire department prior to opening up
to customers for a new business inspection and general information.
FIRE PREVENTION
Fire Prevention Week has been observed since the early 1900’s
remembering the “Great Chicago Fire” that occurred on October 8th, 1871
and ended October 9th. This tragic disaster killed more than 250 people,
left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 homes, and burned more
than 2,000 acres. National Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the
Sunday – through – Saturday period in which October 9th falls. Fire
Prevention Week 2002 is October 6th – 12th.
During Fire Prevention Week personnel from the Fire Department go to
local daycares and schools to educate kids on fire safety and let them
meet the world renowned “Sparky”.
At other times during the year groups of all ages come to the fire
station for tours. Kids and adults alike get to see, behind the scenes,
how our department works and what we do. These groups range from pre-schoolers
to Boy Scout troops to senior citizens.
If you would like to schedule a tour for your group or organization
give us a call Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm.
SMOKE DETECTOR
PROGRAM
In 1998, the Valdese Fire Department established the smoke detector
program. This program was started to insure that every household had at
least one working smoke detector in their home. If a house did not have a
smoke detector the Fire Department installed one free of charge. If one
was present and another detector was needed or requested the owner had the
option to purchase one from the department for five dollars. We installed
batteries in detectors that needed them free of charge. We also checked to
make sure that every home had street numbers posted on the front of their
houses. If none were present numbers were installed with the permission
from the owner, again, free of charge. This is our way of looking out for
the safety of our citizens. This program will continue to be provided at
the owner’s request. If a detector is needed, a battery needs to be
replaced, or you need assistance in installing a detector call the Fire
Department and we will be more than happy to assist you with this service.
HYDRANT MAINTENANCE
Each spring Valdese Fire Department performs annual maintenance on all
336 fire hydrants in the Valdese Water System. This service insures that
each hydrant has an adequate water supply and will, in times of emergency,
function correctly. It normally takes four to six weeks, weather pending,
to complete the task. The fire department will announce when the service
will start via newspaper and radio broadcast. During this testing you may
experience some discoloration in your water. If so, turn on an outside
water spigot or inside faucet and let it run for several minutes. This
should take care of your problem.
CHIMNEY INSPECTIONS
Periodically through the year citizens request the Fire Department to
come to their home and inspect their chimney(s) and wood burning
equipment. This is another service we offer for the citizens of Valdese.
We will come to your home and inspect chimneys and equipment to insure
that they are safe to use. If problems are found or there is question of
the safety of their use we recommend that you have someone such as chimney
sweep come out and perform a thorough check of the chimney and its related
equipment.
|
