Ozark Fire Rescue
Dedication to Serve; Willingness to help
Ozark Fire Department
Greg Boutwell, Fire Chief
Steve Sketo, Operations Chief
P. O. Box 1987
275 N. Union Ave.
Ozark, Alabama 36361
Station 3 - (334) 774-1684
Dowling Fire Station - (334) 774-1994
Chancey Fire Station - (334) 774-6444
The Ozark Fire Department responds to an average of 1800 calls per year, ranging from the smell of smoke to fully involved structure fires, medical emergencies of all types, and motor vehicle collisions.
The firefighters working for the City of Ozark stand ready to serve both the residents and community in any way possible. It is our goal to serve the public diligently in all ways with an emphasis on response, training, and education.
The City of Ozark currently staffs 49 professional firefighters and paramedics. These personnel staff four companies and three stations located throughout the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Three of these four companies are Paramedic Engine companies and provide a rapid response for both fire and medical calls throughout the city. The fourth company is a Ladder Company strategically located to provide rapid response to fire calls and motor vehicle collisions. This placement of resources provides constant service for the residents, businesses and visitors at all times.
ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
Organizing Your Home Can Prevent Accidents
SOLID, MASONRY, OR BRICK-TYPE FIREPLACES
FUEL: Use dry, seasoned wood only. DO NOT burn trash (cardboard, newspaper, etc.). DO NOT overload (particularly with manufactured fire logs). When using manufactured fire logs, follow directions from the manufacturer.
IGNITING: Double-check the damper to make certain it is open.
MAINTENANCE: Check mortar around the chimney for excessive soot buildup (do this monthly if fireplace is used continuously, every three to six months if used periodically). For repairs, check the yellow pages under Chimney Repairs and Builders. for cleaning, check the yellow pages under Chimney Cleaning.
SCREENING: Select a proper-fitting screen or an approved glass cover to keep sparks and embers from leaving the fire box.
METAL FIREPLACES (Freestanding, cone-type "Franklin," wood-burning stoves, etc.)
Installation: Follow in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
FUEL: Use dry, seasoned wood only. DO NOT burn trash (cardboard, newspapers, etc.). Warning: DO NOT overload (when using manufactured logs, select smaller type).
MAINTENANCE: Check inside of chimney for excessive soot buildup (do this monthly if fireplace is used continuously, every three to six months if used periodically). Check joints in chimney to make certain they have not slipped or pulled apart. For repairs, check your yellow pages.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ashes To Ash Disposal
Several times during the year, fire companies from your fire district will respond to fires in garages and backyard sheds. In many of these cases, the investigator first looks for and finds a container used to store ashes as the cause of the fire. In some cases, grocery bags are used; in others, plastic buckets or plastic trash cans. Sometimes all that is left is a little puddle of plaxtic the size of a silver dollar under the area of heaviest damage.
These losses are NEEDLESS. Using the correct container is a surefire cure for ash disposal fires. Grocery bags will in many cases ignite just a few hours after they have been filled with ashes and stored in the garage. Cold ashes many times conceal hot embers within. These embers can smolder for days. When they come in contact with the bag, fire results.
Plastic trash containers are absolutely no good for ash removal. Even if the plastic trash can is lidded, the hot embers touch the side of the container, melt through, let in air, and when the air mixes with the melted plastic, a very hot fire quickly results.
Use a metal container with a lid!
Place your ashes in the container, lid it, and place it away from walls, papers and other flammables. Let it sit for a week at least before you dispose of it. In many cases, hot ashes dumped on a compost heap will start a fire with the first gust of wind. Give your ashes time to cool and dispose of them safely.
LISTED APPLIANCES A metal tag on the appliance indicates whether it is listed. A listed stove has been certified by an approved testing agency as complying with nationally-recognized safety standards. They must be installed according to manufacturer's directions. We recommend purchase of a listed appliance.
During the past several winter seasons, fire officials have noted a continued frequency of home fires caused by solid-fuel burning appliances. In each of these fires it has been clearly established that the cause was either from improper installation, improper use, or lack of proper maintenance. By following a few simple rules, each of these fires could have been prevented. Home owners are urged to take the time and follow certain precautions when using solid-fuel-burning apliances in their homes.
WOOD STOVES For several years home owners have been purchasing wood-burning appliances in record numbers to reduce rising heating costs and conserve energy. Fire officials continue to notice serious problems with regard to fire incidents caused by improper installation, use, and maintenance of appliances used to burn solid fuels in their homes. Classified under such appliances are brick fireplaces, metal fireplaces, wall-hung fireplaces, freestanding fireplaces, "Franklin-type" fireplaces and wood burning stoves.
Christmas Tree Fire Hazards
Water That Tree!
What's a holiday party or even the traditional Christmas morning scene itself without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household, as those of more than 33 million other American homes, includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person's suggestion—"Keep the tree watered." That's good advice and not just to create a fragrant indoor winter wonderland atmosphere. Christmas trees account for 250 fires annually, resulting in 14 deaths, 26 injuries and more than $13.8 million in property damage.1 Typically shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. Dry and neglected trees can be.
The fall and winter seasons bring the annual need to prepare for the onset of cold weather. In making preparations, your local fire department would like to point out a few timely reminders to assure a trouble-free season.