Mount smoke detectors in the middle of the ceiling, if possible. If not, mount detectors on the wall, at least three feet from a corner and 4-6 inches from the ceiling. Keep detectors away from fans or air ducts.

Avoid placing the detector too close to kitchen stoves and bathroom showers. Mount basement detectors at the bottom of the basement stairwell.

There is no open burning allowed with in the City limits. Recreational fires are allowed. It is advised to practice safe burning with these fires.

Yes, please call the office at 406.758.7760 to make an appointment.

Certainly, we love to see you. Please call 406.758.7760 to schedule an appointment. We will make every effort to accommodate your request, but understand we are often committed to training exercises, or to an incident response.

They may not need to be serviced but even if an extinguisher hasn't been used, it still needs to be inspected to make sure there's no corrosion, that nothing has been damaged, and that everything is set for it to operate properly when needed. In many cases, they just need to be examined and/or weighed (CO2 extinguishers). However depending on extinguisher type and age (usually every 6 years for those over 12 year old) they must be taken apart, inspected internally or pressure tested, then reassembled, recharged and permanently marked with a label indicating the service date.

Our Firefighter-Paramedics work a 24 hour shift at the Station and are responsible for every call. Living at the station for a 24 hour shift enables them to respond, with the proper equipment, in a safe and timely manner.

Kalispell Fire Department is staffed with career firefighters that are cross-trained as Nationally Registered Paramedics. Our hiring process begins by taking the annual Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium in Bozeman (Hiring Consortium information is posted at: Montana Firefighter Testing Consortium http://www.bozeman.net/mtff/). From there, qualified individuals will receive an application packet and be invited to participate in the interview process. If selected, a firefighter candidate will be placed on probationary status and attend our Fire Academy before being placed on shift rotation. Permanent status begins at the conclusion of one year probation. If you are interested in volunteering as a firefighter, opportunities exist in many of the surrounding fire districts. Badrock, Bigfork, Creston, Columbia Falls, Evergreen, Lakeside (medical only), Somers, South Kalispell, West Valley and Whitefish fire districts offer rewarding volunteer assignments in their respective communities. Additionally, EMT and Paramedic training programs are available locally through Flathead Valley Community College.

At each sprinkler, the water under pressure in the pipe is held back by a plug held in place either by metal parts or a small glass vial filled with fluid. When sufficient heat hits a sprinkler, the special solder holding the metal parts together melts, or the fluid in the glass vial expands enough to break the glass. In either case, the plug is released and the water begins to flow. Fire sprinklers are proven to save lives, enabling occupants to escape the area of the fire.

Generally, several detectors are required to provide full protection. Smoke detectors should be installed on every living level of the home, inside each bedroom, and in the main corridor outside each bedroom area.

First line supervisors should conduct work site surveys of their area on a regular basis, at least quarterly. These surveys should include observations of worksite safety and housekeeping issues and should specifically address:

1. proper storage of chemicals and supplies,
2. monitoring of electrical equipment, extension cords
3. availability and condition of fire safety equipment
4. unobstructed access to fire extinguishers, and
5. Emergency evacuation routes.

Also, they should ensure that an emergency evacuation plan is present in work areas and that personnel are familiar with the plan. Emergency egress should be kept clear and every exit clearly visible or the route to it conspicuously identified in such a manner that occupants of the building will readily know the direction of escape from any point. Main building exit and main pathways to exits are to be marked by illuminated exit signs. Each exit sign (other than internally illuminated signs) are to be illuminated by a reliable light. All building or business safety equipment (extinguishers, fire hoses, exit signs, emergency lab equipment, etc) need to be inspected at least annually and repaired or replaced if inoperative, damaged or missing. At no time should an exit be blocked. Any doorway or passageway which is not an exit or access to an exit but which may be mistaken for an exit, must be identified by a sign reading "Not An Exit" or a sign indicating it actual use (i.e., "Storeroom").

Any type of Firecracker, Bottle Rocket, Missile, Sky Rocket, Reloadable Aerial Shells, hand held Fountains and any device that produces solely smoke.

Yes, there are. The universal standard extinguisher (good on most small fires you might encounter) for the last 10-20 years is the "ABC", or multi-purpose extinguisher. It can be used on a Class A, B or C fire.

1. Class A is ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, etc.
2. Class B means flammable liquids, such as oil, gasoline, kerosene, etc. and
3. Class C refers to the presence of energized electrical circuits (e.g., an electric motor, electrical wiring, etc.).

However, there are several other kinds of extinguishers available which are only effective when used on the kind of fire for which they were intended. These include:

1. Pressurized water - Class A only
2. Carbon dioxide - Class B and C only
3. "B-C" Dry chemical - Class B and C only
4. "K" for cooking and kitchen areas
5. "D" dry chemical - for self-spontaneous igniting/burning fires, usually these involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, zirconium, potassium, and sodium.

Extinguishers, fire hoses and other fire safety equipment (alarms, exit signs, emergency lights) need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure they are in working condition. Typically a quick visual check is to be done at least monthly by an employee or the monitor in the area. Under law, extinguishers and hoses must be checked and documented at least once a year by a qualified inspector. They also must have a sign-off tag (or other documentation) to verify that they have been inspected. Extinguishers must be recharged anytime that they have been used (of course), if the pin has been pulled (seal broken), or the gauge is not in the green (or whatever color the proper pressure area happens to be). Even if an extinguisher was only used a small amount it must be serviced as the used powder clogs the valve and prevents reuse.

Planning and prevention are the keys to fire safety. Protect yourself and the children in your care by taking some simple precautions. PLAN YOUR ESCAPE Be familiar with the home. Learn all the exits. Find out where the home's meeting spot is outside. Discuss the escape plan with the children. PUT AWAY MATCHES AND LIGHTERS

GIVE SPACE HEATERS SPACE

BE KITCHEN WISE Cook only with permission. Never leave cooking unattended. USE MICROWAVES SAFELY

1. Never place anything in a microwave oven unless you are absolutely sure it is safe.
2. Most metal objects are not safe to place in a microwave.
3. Keep children away from the microwave.
4. Cool food before serving children.

NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN ALONE IN CASE OF FIRE

1. Get out and stay out!
2. Crawl low under smoke.
3. Call the Fire Department - from a neighbors house.
4. Don't go back inside. IF YOUR CLOTHES CATCH FIRE - STOP! DROP! ROLL!
5. Babysitters may have to help young children do this.

KEEP THIS INFORMATION HANDY WHILE BABYSITTING:

1. Emergency Telephone Number 911
2. Doctor's Name/Telephone Number
3. Where Parents can be reached, cell number
4. Address where you are babysitting
5. Neighbors Name and Telephone Number

There are two basic types of smoke detectors: ionization and photo-electronic. Both are effective at detecting fire, yet each has a unique detecting system. Each type of detector comes as AC- operated smoke detectors or battery- powered smoke detectors. Some AC detectors come with a battery back-up system.

Only in the make-believe world of movies! In real life, each sprinkler is independent and has to be subjected to direct heat to go off.

Install a minimum of two detectors even in single level homes. Install a smoke detector in each bedroom as well as the main corridor outside of the bedroom area. Install a smoke detector above stairwells.

Absolutely not; it takes actual heat, usually 165 degrees Fahrenheit, to set off a sprinkler.