State law dictates that vehicles yield to emergency vehicles that are operating their emergency lights and siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are taught to pass on the left whenever possible when responding in an emergency mode. When safe, slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. However, there are circumstances where that may not be possible (if your car is already stopped, and you don’t have anywhere to pull over). Simply stay put until the emergency vehicle goes around you. If you are blocking the route of the emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and over into a clear area, use your turn signal to indicate your intentions, and proceed at a safe speed. Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road when you see emergency vehicles approaching.

The Fire Department welcomes the opportunity to have the public visit any of our stations. If a school, civic group, or citizen would like to schedule a tour, please call (330) 533-4316. You will be asked to provide a name, contact number, the number of participants and any date preferences. A member of our department will contact you to schedule the tour.

The department has a state-of-the-art hands-on fire extinguisher training trailer to teach classes for local businesses and citizens. To schedule a class, call 330-533-4316 any time Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 p.m.

We do have personnel certified to teach CPR and First Aid through American Health and Safety Institute (ASHI).  Call (330) 533-4316, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The fire department does not assist in filling swimming pools.  For this service, you must contact a private water hauler or pool company.

Replace batteries twice a year. A good idea is to change the batteries when you change the clocks in the spring and fall.

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 such as 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 Cardinal Joint Fire District responds. In fact, more than 70% of the Fire Department’s emergency responses are calls for medical aid, including illnesses/accidents at home or work and injuries resulting from vehicle accidents.  Other calls for emergency response involve the release of hazardous materials, response to fire alarms and other calls for public assistance.

Firefighters also spend quite a bit of time maintaining equipment, doing routine public safety inspections for businesses, training for all types of emergency responses and filling out the reports and paperwork associated with these activities.

Fire Department vehicles are fully equipped with advanced emergency medical supplies. All of our firefighters are State of Ohio Certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) or Paramedics and are trained to handle medical calls. The Fire Engines will often respond along with the ambulance on all medical calls. The fire department will provide emergency medical care until the ambulance arrives to transport the patient to the hospital.

Firefighters work a 24-hour shift and must remain in the station or a fire department vehicle available for emergency response at all times. Therefore, all of the firefighter’s meals are eaten in the station. Firefighters are permitted to go to the store during the day to purchase items needed for these meals.

At other times, fire department vehicles are at local businesses while on official business such as inspections, performing training or education, or even answering questions or complaints. There are many public services performed by your fire department on a daily basis.

Finally, firefighters also routinely shop for needed fire department supplies and equipment.

Take advantage of this opportunity to interact with the firefighters and ask questions. Just don’t be offended if they have to rush off!

The Fire Department welcomes the opportunity to offer this service for events, civic groups, or parties. If you would like to schedule an event, please call (330) 533-4316. You will be asked to provide a name, contact number, the number of participants and any date preferences. Because of the nature of our business, we cannot guarantee that the Fire Department will be able to attend the event or stay until the end.

Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In many instances, firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. When a hole is made in the roof, dark smoke and dangerous superheated gases are able to escape, because heat and smoke rise. Cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cooler air to enter the structure from below. We call this “ventilation”. This also makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. The reduced heat and improved visibility allow firefighters to safely and quickly rescue trapped occupants and extinguish the fire.

Other reasons for releasing the gases include being able to see how far the fire has progressed, and also reducing the possibility of flashover (an explosion due to thermal radiation feedback) or backdraft (an explosion of heated gases when air is introduced to a smoldering fire). One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading. By venting the window of a room that’s on fire, it actually helps to contain the fire to the room of origin. Otherwise, heated gases spread throughout the inside of a structure. Ventilation really prevents more damage than it appears to cause!

Fire Reports: May be obtained by phoning ahead to request the report, then showing a valid driver’s license to verify your name when you arrive at the station.  Reports may be picked up at Fire Station 2, located at 7075 Herbert Road. Copies of reports cost 5 cents per page.

E.M.S. Reports: May be obtained by phoning ahead to request the report. When you arrive at the station, you must show a valid driver’s license and sign a release stating you have received the report. You may not request a copy of someone else’s medical report for them without proper authorization. Reports may be picked up at Fire Station 2, located at 7075 Herbert Road. Copies of reports cost 5 cent per page.

Smoke detectors should be located outside each sleeping area, above staircases and on all levels of your home. The instructions that come with the Smoke Detector will also tell you where they are to be installed.

Complaints should be called in to Fire Inspection at 330-533-4316. Fire Inspection will document the complaint and then will assign a Fire Inspector to expedite and investigate the complaint.

If you need a commercial inspection, or a home inspection specifically for foster care or adoption purposes, contact the Deputy Chief Matt Rarick at 330-533-4316. We do not otherwise perform routine home inspections at this time.

The Fire Department offers fire safety presentations to local schools and civic organizations. Local schools are set up with regularly scheduled classes throughout the year. Civic organizations or businesses can schedule appointments by contacting Deputy chief Matt Rarick at 330-533-4316.

Blood pressure can be checked at any fire station. Barring any emergencies, someone is usually available between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM for this service.