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1. What other responsibilities do firefighters have other than fighting fires?

Firefighting actually represents a relatively small portion of the work of a typical fire department in today’s world. The number of residential and commercial fires has steadily decreased over the years due to a variety of factors, including improvements in construction, a greater public awareness of the risk factors leading to fires, and a significant reduction in smoking nationwide. Fires, however, are only some of the emergencies to which the Edmond Fire Department responds. Seventy percent of the Fire Department’s emergency responses are, in fact, calls for medical aid, including illness / accidents at home and work, injuries resulting from vehicle accidents, and other medical trauma in Edmond.

Other calls for emergency response involve hazardous materials releases, response to fire alarms, and other calls for public assistance. Firefighters also spend quite a bit of time maintaining equipment, performing target hazard inspections for businesses, training for all types of emergency responses, and filling out the reports and paperwork associated with these activities.

2. Why did you chop that big hole in my roof? The fire was in the kitchen, not the attic!

During a fully involved structure fire, temperatures inside a structure are often 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit. By cutting a hole in the roof and ventilating the building, the heat is allowed to escape through the roof and thereby making it safer for firefighters to enter the building and apply water directly on the fire. This extinguishing strategy is key to stopping a structure fire quickly, and actually helps minimize damage to other rooms.

3. Why does the fire engine respond when a request is made for an ambulance for a person with a medical condition?

All Fire Department personnel are medically trained and will often arrive before an ambulance. Because the ambulance is not stationed at the Edmond fire stations, it usually takes longer for the ambulance to arrive on a medical scene. The firefighters will arrive and begin treatment immediately, often resulting in a better outcome for the patient. In a more complicated medical emergency, the Fire Department personnel will be needed to assist the two paramedics on the ambulance. Our Fire Department is committed to providing the highest level of care possible, and this means getting the emergency responders on scene as quickly as possible.

4. Are there smoke alarms needed in my home?

Yes. Some alarms are recommended on every level and in every sleeping area.

5. How often do I need to change the battery in my smoke alarm?

We recommend that residents change the batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year.

6. Why does an emergency vehicle respond with lights and siren and then turn them off?

On occasion, when responding to emergencies the first arriving apparatus or dispatch center may relay information that may cause us to "down grade" to a non-emergent mode or even cancel the call and return to service.

7. Why are there fire trucks or ambulances parked at the grocery store?

We function like a family and eat meals together every day. The city does not provide meals while on duty. Each shift has a "kitty" that we pay every morning. We use the money in the "kitty" to go shopping for our daily meal. While at the store we are still on duty and you may notice us leave our food and respond to an emergency.

8. Are fireworks legal in the City of Edmond?

While it is legal to transport fireworks, it is illegal to possess, sell and discharge fireworks inside the City of Edmond. These actions can result in a citation.

9. Is it legal to burn trash/leaves inside the City of Edmond?

See burn permit guidelines.

10. How can I obtain a residential Burn Permit?

You can apply for a 6 month residential Burn Permit here.