The Rochester Fire Department serves the Lilac City with a dedicated and well-trained staff of firefighters with state of the art equipment and apparatus. The department consists of 37 full-time firefighters and officers with 40 on-call members. Firefighters respond to countless types of emergencies throughout Rochester's 45 square miles on a daily basis from two stations making responses throughout the City quick and efficient. The City recently completed a 7,000 square foot fire station in the western corridor. The station is manned with 1 Lieutenant and 2
firefighters operating as an engine company. The facility includes living quarters, a physical training room, a meeting/training room and an office from which general fire department business can be conducted. The department has five pumpers, one tanker, one 110' aerial ladder, one heavy-duty Rescue unit and one Forestry unit.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the City doing to be prepared for terrorism?
The City of Rochester has contingency plans for almost any type of man-made and natural disaster. The Rochester Fire Chief is the Emergency Management Director and our team consists of representatives from Fire, Police, Frisbie Hospital, Schools, Public Buildings, Public Works, Health, Red Cross, the Mayor and City Manager and other agencies as designated depending on the emergency. For more information about about what we are doing and what you can do to be prepared click here. If you would like a copy of the brochure mailed to you, please
call the Fire Department at 335-7545.
Why do you take 3 trucks to a fire alarm going off in a building?
One pumper is for water supply, the other pumper is for fire attack and investigation of the alarm. The ladder truck is for ventilation and rescue.
Do I need a permit for my gas or charcoal grill?
No. Just for open fire cooking and burning brush.
Why does it take so long for the fire trucks to get to the emergency scene?
It seems like a long time when you are waiting. While you are waiting for fire trucks during an emergency, time seems to double or triple. Most of the responses within the City are in 3 to 5 minutes.
Is the fire station staffed 24 hours a day?
Yes. We have firefighters on-duty at both stations every day of the year including Christmas, Thanksgiving and the 4th of July.
Do firefighters still use the fire pole?
Some of the firefighters still use the fire pole, others like to take the stairway.
Why does a fire truck go to calls when requesting an ambulance?
At times the ambulance has a serious call that requires more than two personnel. When this type of call comes in, they request the Fire Department for assistance. Also, if the ambulance is tied up at another call, they call us to handle the call until another ambulance can respond. All full-time firefighters receive on-going medical training.
What is a 2-alarm fire vs. a 5-alarm fire?
A two-alarm fire requires assistance from other departments for a couple more pumpers and ladder trucks. Some will go to the scene and the others will cover our stations. A five-alarm fire requires a lot more assistance from the outside due to the large size of the fire. In Rochester, a five-alarm fire is our largest response. The alarms are used to bring in more equipment and manpower due to the size of the building and the amount of fire involved. A typical fire in a small structure will usually require only one or two alarms. A large-scale fire in a commercial building would require three alarms or more.
When do I need a permit, where do I get them, and how much do they cost?
- A permit is required for installation of above ground or underground tanks over 500 gallons. It can be picked up at the main fire station and there is no charge.
- A permit is required for removal of above ground or underground tanks over 500 gallons. It can be picked up at the main fire station and there is no charge
- A permit is required for anyone wishing to blast in the city. The permit must be picked up at the main fire station prior to the blast. There is no charge.
- A permit is required (except during the winter) for anyone wishing burn brush. The permits can be picked up at either fire station. During the summer months when the lookout towers are staffed, no burning is allowed until after 5:00 P.M. unless it is raining.
During the winter months, when snow is on the ground, all you need to do is call the Fire Department and provide information about where you are going to burn. No permit is required when snow is on the ground. You must own the land that you intend to burn on, or, if you do not own it, you must have written permission from the land owner.
- No permit is required for unvented space heaters and heaters. This covers the kerosene heaters, LP gas unvented heaters and the natural gas unvented heaters. However they can only be used in owner occupied single family homes.
- Permits can be picked up at the Main Fire Station from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Requirements:
Unvented space heaters and heaters are only allowed in owner occupied single family residences. At no time are these heaters to be used in multi-family dwellings. If you rent a single-family residence you are not allowed to use one. Make sure that the heater you buy is UL Listed.
A permit must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Department for any Sprinkler work. However the Fire Department must also be notified of the work and plans may have to be submitted to the Fire Department for approval. The fee structure is as follows: $10.00 for any work under $2,000.00 and $4.00 per thousand thereafter.
A permit must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Department for any Fire Alarm work. However the Fire Department must also be notified of the work and plans may have to be submitted to the Fire Department for approval. The fee structure is as follows: $10.00 for any work under $2,000.00 and $4.00 per thousand thereafter.
A permit must be obtained from the Code Enforcement Department for the installation of commercial hoods. However the Fire Department must also be notified of any work and must approve the work before it is started. The fee structure is as follows: $10.00 for any work under $2,000.00 and $4.00 per thousand thereafter.
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