Frequently Asked Questions
Does
the Fire Department offer tours of the fire stations?
The Fire Department
is happy to host tours of the fire stations. If your scout, school, or other
interested group would like to schedule a tour, please contact the Fire
Department Administration Office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM
Monday - Friday, at least two weeks in advance of the event. We can accommodate
most times with the proper notice.
Are CPR classes offered at the Fire Department?
CPR classes are held on the second Thursday of each month in the Training Room at Century Station, 112 N. 1st Avenue beginning at 5:30 p.m. The class fee is $25, non-refundable, for all participants. The fee includes a book, CPR pocket mask with case, and certification card. All registrations will be walk-in or phone only. Payment must be made at the time of registration, either by cash, check, or if by phone, electronic check. If the applicant cannot or does not attend, we will reschedule to the next available class. Any applicant younger than 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. There will be no minimum age requirement; however, they must be able to perform the skill set to obtain certification. Because payment is required at the time of registration, there will be no deadline, except that it must be prior to 4:30 p.m. on the day of the class. To register, stop by the Fire Department Administrative offices at 112 N. 1st Avenue Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or call 630-377-4457.
Are
there permits and fees required for fire alarm and sprinkler plan review?
At this time there are no separate permits or fees for plan review
aside from those required by the building permit. However, fire alarm
plans and sprinkler plans must be submitted to the Fire Prevention Bureau
for review and approval. Acceptance tests will be performed on approved
systems only. Why
does a fire truck respond on ambulance calls?
It is a goal of the St. Charles Fire Department to provide the highest
level of emergency services, which is why we dispatch a fire truck with
every ambulance call. This provides additional manpower if necessary,
or provides first responder intervention if the fire truck reaches the
incident prior to the ambulance. Are
outdoor fireplaces allowed?
The City's Fire Prevention Code, Title 15, Chapter 15.28, allows the use
of outdoor fireplaces or fire pits without a permit, if these guidelines
are followed:
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The unit should
be at least 25 feet from any structure (house/garage/deck) and in
an open lawn area.
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Use only clean,
well-seasoned wood-not leaves, compost, brush, waste materials of
any kind or holiday decorations/trees.
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The fire should not burn
for more than 2 hours and must be constantly attended until extinguished.
The fire must be properly extinguished prior to leaving unattended.
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Some type of fire extinguisher
must be available for immediate use (ex. garden hose).
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Open burning is prohibited
when atmospheric conditions or local circumstances make such fires
hazardous. Be alert to wind speed/direction and be courteous to
neighbors who may experience respiratory difficulties.
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The City Fire Code Official
may order the extinguishment of any open burning that creates or
adds to a hazardous or objectionable situation. |
The City recommends
good communication with neighbors and hopes everyone adheres to a "good
neighbor" policy. This minimizes complaints and allows the Fire Department
to be available for emergencies. Can
you burn leaves?
There is no open burning allowed within St. Charles city limits. Leaves
may be placed in yard waste refuse bags to be picked up by the City's
contracted waste hauler, or raked to the parkway for pickup by the City
crews as part of the Leaf Pickup Program. Burning for land management
is allowed by special permit on a case-by-case basis.
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