Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few common questions people have about Fire Department Operations.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A COPY OF A FIRE OR EMS REPORT?
Reports can be requested online, using THIS LINK. If you aren’t comfortable using the online form request, please contact Belvidere Fire Administration, 123 S. State St., Belvidere, IL – PH: 815-544-2242
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF AN OLD OR EXPIRED FIRE EXTINGUISHER?
Residents of the city of Belvidere can drop off old or expired fire extinguishers at the Belvidere Fire Department, 123 S State Street, Belvidere for proper disposal. The Station is generally staffed between 8 am – 3pm during weekdays.
Do NOT place old or expired fire extinguishers in your residential trash or recycling containers.
DOES THE BELVIDERE FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDE CPR TRAINING?
Yes, please see our CPR page for more details.
HOW DO I GET A TOUR OF THE FIRE STATION?
We recommend that you either call 815-544-2242 or email a request to ad***@***********re.com to schedule a time for a tour. Of course, the public is always welcome to stop by and see us at any time. Remember, even when tours are scheduled the tour is subject to the station receiving an alarm and having to leave.
WHY ARE WINDOWS BROKEN OR HOLES CUT IN WALLS OR THE ROOF?
As a fire burns, it moves upward and outward. Breaking the windows and /or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation) stops the damaging outward movement and enables fire fighters to fight the fire more efficiently, resulting in less damage to structure in the long run.
WHY DOES THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPOND TO MEDICAL EMERGENCIES WITH BOTH AN AMBULANCE AND FIRE ENGINE?
The Belvidere Fire Department believes in providing the best care in the most rapid method possible. At times, an ambulance may be out of position at the hospital or on another call. Our fire engines are fully equipped with Paramedics and advanced life support supplies to treat a patient until a transport unit arrives. We also send a fire engine to assist an ambulance on calls where the information provided to the dispatcher indicates that advanced care may needed. Many of the treatments and procedures involved require more than the 2 personnel assigned to the ambulance, thus warranting assistance from the fire engine personnel.
SOMETIMES I SEE FIREFIGHTERS AT THE GROCERY STORE. WHO IS PAYING FOR ALL THAT FOOD? WHAT IF A FIRE OCCURS WHILE THEY ARE SHOPPING?
To answer the first part of the question, the firefighters pay for their own food. Normally the firefighters pool their money together at the beginning of the shift, plan their menu for the day and complete the shopping for the day. The firefighters do their own cooking, and some of them are quite good. In fact, one of our firefighters won a firefighters recipe contest in the Chicago Tribune newspaper.
While on duty the firefighters are always in radio contact with both the station and the dispatcher. If an Emergency occurs while they are shopping, they will respond to the scene of the emergency as dispatched.
DOES THE BELVIDERE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFER FREE SMOKE DETECTORS OR HELP WITH INSTALLATION OF SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS?
Yes, the Belvidere Fire Department can provide smoke detectors to families in need. If you are in a position that you need a smoke detector or need help installing a smoke detector, you can can either call 815-544-2242 or email a request to ad***@***********re.com.
I AM DRIVING AND SEE AN EMERGENCY VEHICLE WITH LIGHTS AND SIRENS. WHAT DO I DO?
The Belvidere Fire Department reminds all drivers to be aware of their surroundings at all times and requests your courtesy to responding fire department apparatus; if their lights and sirens are on they are responding to someone’s emergency – please treat the vehicles as if they are responding to one of your family members’ emergencies. RED LIGHTS GO RIGHT is the saying to remember. If an emergency vehicle is approaching from either the front or the rear, slow down and move to the right to allow them to get through. If you are stopped at an intersection and can safely move to the right, do so; if you are unable to move, stay put if the emergency vehicle can proceed around you.
WHAT DO FIREFIGHTERS DO DURING THE DAY WHEN NOT ON EMERGENCY CALLS?
The Belvidere Fire Department responds to an average of 10 calls in a 24 hour period; many of those are medical emergencies. There are many other things than firefighters are responsible for throughout the day.
- Preparation. When a firefighter arrives at the station for a shift, his first priority is to check his truck and personal protective equipment and get ready for the next call. Although we do not fix major mechanical problems with the fire engines, we often do minor repairs.
- Planning and training. The Shift Commander coordinates activities for the day and ensure the best possible response coverage given our limited resources. We also catch up on recent changes or significant events and go over the day’s planning and training (each station company must complete at least 2 hours of specific training each shift).
- Housework. The morning is when we also address “house work.” Belvidere Fire Fighters live at the station for 24 hours; it is their second home. We have to sweep, mop, throw out the trash, dust, wash linens and windows, and clean the fire truck. We also take care of maintenance issues such as painting and landscaping.
- Public outreach. We often run station tours for the public or speak at special events. These talks cover everything from cooking safety, exit drills in the home, to using a fire extinguisher.
- Physical training. Our firefighters have the opportunity work out each day while on shift. We undergo a battery of exams and fitness assessments, agility testing, and blood work to help ensure that we are in peak condition to protect the community.
- Inspections. Station companies routinely inspect every business in the city to enforce the fire code and address any life hazards. We also periodically inspect and test fire hydrants to ensure that they operate properly during a fire event. Likewise, we test all our fire hoses each year.
- Reporting. We must document each event we respond to, no matter how big or small. Most reports take 15–30 minutes to complete. A Fire Fighter can spend between 2–6 hours a day on documentation.
