Fireworks Fact Sheet

Fire Station Locations & Apparatus

Outdoor Warning Sirens

Spring brings with it increased risk of severe weather. While tornadoes and severe thunderstorms can occur at any time, they are more likely to occur in the early afternoon hours.

A severe weather WATCH means conditions are favorable for severe weather to occur in the watch area. You should plan and prepare for the possibility of severe weather and listen to radio and television for later statements or warnings.

A severe weather WARNING means that severe weather is occurring and you should take the necessary safety precautions. If a TORNADO WARNING is issued, the outdoor warning sirens will sound a steady three (3) minute warning signal. Take cover immediately and listen to radio or television for more information.

The first Saturday of each month at 1:00 p.m. a test is conducted of the outdoor warning sirens. Click here to see testing schedule. NOTE: Siren tests are not conducted during December, January, or February due to winter weather.

Downed Power Lines

Often severe storms have high winds that cause damage to trees and power lines. If you see a downed power line always assume it is energized with electricity - STAY AWAY! Even when a power line appears to be dead, it can still be energized and those wires that really are dead can be re-energized without warning.

Never approach a downed power line or try to move it. Even telephone and cable TV lines can be dangerous if they are in contact with a power line. Chain link metal fences can also be hazardous if a power line has fallen on them. Always keep children and pets away from any downed power lines and other downed or hanging wires.

Report downed power lines to DTE Energy at (800) 477-4747

Smoke Alarms

Are Your Smoke Alarms Up-to-Date?

How would you answer the following?

-Do your smoke alarms(s) work?

-When was the last time you tested your smoke alarm(s)?

-When was the last time you changed the batteries?

More than half of all fatal fires occur at night while people are asleep. Every home needs to have working smoke alarms to alert sleeping occupants of smoke and fire. The National Fire Chief’s Association has adopted a policy to change smoke alarms that are at least 10 years old and to change the batteries when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Remember this fall, when you set your clock back, change your batteries, and if your alarm is at least 10 years old, or if you are not sure how old it is, then change your detector too. Test your smoke alarm(s) weekly and replace the batteries at least twice a year at daylights savings time.

Community CPR/AED/First Aid Training

If you are wanting to learn how to provide CPR, operate and AED, or administer First Aid, for either a community group or individually, please contact our EMS Coordinator, Captain Chris LaGerould at (248) 391-0304, ext. 2002.

Wanted: Paid-On Call Firefighters

We are looking for a few good men and women to join our team to serve as Paid-on-Call Firefighters. If you are interested in helping protect your community, please contact Asst. Chief Pender at (248)391-0304.

Community Risk Reduction

Kitchen Safety

• Is your stove top clean, no grease, spills or clutter?
• Does a grown-up always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove?
• Are pot handles turned toward the back of the stove?

Heating Equipment

• Are space heaters at least three feet away from the walls and anything else that can burn?
• Does your fireplace have a sturdy screen to catch sparks?
• Has your heating system been professionally inspected or serviced in the past 12 months?
• Has your chimney been inspected or cleaned in the past 12 months?
• Do you always dispose of your fireplace ashes in a metal container outside, away from the house?

Candles

• Are candles blown out when grown-ups leave the room or go to sleep?
• Do you have sturdy non-tip and non-combustible candle holders?
• Are lit candles kept a safe distance from anything that can burn?

Smoking Materials

• Do you have large, deep, non-tip ashtrays for smokers?
• Are matches and lighters locked up high, out of children’s sight and reach?
• Do smokers wet all butts and ashes before throwing them away?

Hazardous Materials

• Are paints, gasoline, and other flammable liquids stored away from flames and sparks?
• Are they outside the home in a shed or detached garage?

House Wiring

• Do your fuses or circuit-breakers match the circuits they protect? (Have them professionally inspected)
• Do you limit the use of extension cords, make sure they are properly maintained, and do not overload them?

Fire Facts

The leading causes of home fires and cooking, smoking, heating, electrical equipment, and intentionally set. Cooking fires lead to the most injuries and smoking fires lead to the most deaths.

In 2010:

• U.S. Fire Departments responded to 386,500 home fires
• Home fires killed 3,120 people
• Roughly 8 people die in home fires every day
• Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from home fires with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms
• No smoke detectors were present in 40% of home fire deaths
• In 23% of the home fire deaths, smoke detectors were present but did not sound

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I burn trash or brush? You are not allowed to burn trash or rubbish. However, you may obtain a burn permit for the on-site burning of residential tree cuttings and brush. 
  
  
• Can I have a fire pit or campfire in my backyard? Yes, but with some restrictions. A burn permit is required. To apply for a permit, please come to the Fire Administration located in Township Hall at 2525 Joslyn Road. You may obtain a permit Monday trhough Friday during the hours of 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; Monday through Friday. If you need to renew a permit from last year, email us at oriontwpfd@comcast.net with your information and permit number , and we will answer your request within 48 hours. 
  
  
• Is there a burning ban? There can be a burning ban issued, if deemed necessary by the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief can issue a ban due to drought, high winds, or other factors that affect the community.
  
  
• How do I become a Paid-on-Call Firefighter? Contact Asst. Chief Pender at 248-391-0304 ext. 2002 
  
  
• Is Orion Township Fire Department (OTFD) a volunteer or full-time department? OTFD is a combination Fire Department with a Full-Time Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, Fire Marshal, EMS Coordinator, 18 shift personnel and 17 Paid-on-Call Firefighters.
  
  
• If I have a non-emergency fire related question, what number do I call? Contact Fire Administration at (248) 391-0304, ext. 2000.
  
  
• Can I get a home fire inspection? Yes, the Fire Department provides inspections for fire safety and evacuation plans free of charge. Contact Fire Administration at (248) 391-0304, ext. 2000 for more information.
  
  
• Does the Fire Department give tours of the stations? Yes, Firefighters are happy to give tours when available. Contact Fire Administration at (248) 391-0304, ext. 2000 to schedule a tour.
  
  
• Does the Fire Department provide free smoke alarms? Contact Fire Administration at (248)391-0304, ext. 2003 Free smoke alarms are available for residents who may not have the resources to purchase them. Firefighters will install them in your home and can assist you with replacing batteries if you are unable.Please purchase the batteries prior to the fire departments arrival. 
  
  
• How often should I check my smoke alarm?  Test your smoke alarm(s) weekly and replace the batteries at least twice a year at daylights savings time. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. 
  
  
• Why is it important to have a home fire escape plan? Because just awakened people, especially children, are often confused and may panic during a fire. A well-planned and practiced home fire escape plan can help people get out safely. Your plan should include two ways out of any room, especially bedrooms. If you have a multi-story home, you may want to purchase a fire escape ladder (sold at retail outlets). Also include in your plan a meeting place outside your home. Never go back inside for pets or toys and practice your plan at least twice a year. Follow this link for an interactive program for drawing out your home and an escape plan.
  
  
• Does the Fire Department install car seats? Yes –  To schedule an inspection or installation, free of charge, contact Fire Administration at (248) 391-0304, ext. 2000.