Show All Answers

1. My smoke alarm is going off constantly, but I do not see any smoke or fire. What should I do?

Call 911 and report what you know.

2. What are the rules for burning outside of city limits?

The rules for burning outside of city limits are:

• To reduce smoke, only dried materials are permitted to be burned;
• Never use gasoline to start a fire;
• Fire must be constantly attended by a responsible person until extinguished;
• An attached water hose must be available or a 4-A rated fire extinguisher and extinguishing tools;
• 3 feet diameter by 2 feet high piles must be at least 25 feet from any structure.
• The Noble Township Fire Prevention officer must be contacted at 419-733-3857 prior to any open burning in Noble Township.

3. My smoke alarm is beeping intermittently. What should I do?

Check the alarm's manufacture date. Smoke alarms are good for 10 years from the date of manufacture. If the alarm is nearing its replacement date, replace the alarm.

Replace the battery every 6 months.

4. What are the rules for Recreational burning, i.e., fires for pleasure, cooking, ceremonial or similar purposes, in or outside City limits.

Recreational burning, i.e., fires for pleasure, cooking, ceremonial or similar purposes, in or outside City limits, must comply with the following:

• Maximum size is 3 feet diameter by 2 feet high
• Acceptable materials to burn include dried wood, natural dimensional lumber scraps, charcoal, propane and natural gas when such materials do not emit dense smoke or noxious odors
• Barbecues and fire pits must be at least 10 feet from structures
• Portable outdoor fireplaces must be at least 15 feet from structures
• Fires on the ground must be at least 25 feet from structures
• Barbecues and fire pits must be commercially manufactured or constructed of non-combustible materials

Remember to be respectful of your neighbors when you conduct any type of open burning. The City of St. Marys Fire Department is not responsible for regulating or controlling smoke issues. Our responsibility is to protect the public from hazardous fire conditions. For more information please view the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website.

5. My carbon monoxide detector is activated. What should I do?

Call 911. If you have any symptoms or feel ill, exit the building and await the Fire Department's arrival.

6. What can never be burned?

The following materials can never be openly burned:

• Garbage
• Plastic
• Asbestos
• Wire insulation
• Automobile parts
• Asphalt
• Petroleum treated materials
• Painted wood or wood treated with creosote or pentachlorophenol
• Rubber, including tires
• Animal remains

7. My fire extinguisher tag is out of date or needs recharged. What should I do?

Consult the yellow pages under Fire Extinguishers and contact any listing.

8. Does the Fire Department fill swimming pools?

No.

9. I am going to be testing my fire alarm or sprinkler system. Should I contact the City?

Notify the Fire Department at 419-394-2361 and your alarm monitoring company. This should be done before you begin testing and also once you have completed testing and the system is back in service.

10. How do I dispose of old paint or gasoline?

Call Auglaize County Emergency Management at 419-739-6727 or 419-733-3857.  

11. I smell smoke in my house, but I do not know where it is coming from and I don’t see any fire. What should I do?

Exit the building and call 911.

12. I hear a tornado siren. What should I do?

Seek shelter in the basement against a wall or in an interior bathroom or closet if there is no basement.

13. What hospitals are EMS patients transported to by the St. Marys Fire Department?

The Fire Department will transport primarily to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital; however, transport will be provided to any appropriate hospital in the area including St.Rita's Medical Center, Lima Memorial Hospital, and Coldwater Hospital.

14. Why do I see fire apparatus go through an intersection with lights and siren activated and then see them turn them off?

Lights and siren are only used when responding to an emergency call or when transporting a critical patient to a hospital. Apparatus responding to calls are often canceled by the first arriving unit once it is determined that the call is not actually an emergency.

15. Why do firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs when the fire is inside the building?

Interior fires create a tremendous amount of smoke and heat. Firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs to ventilate or remove these fire products to reduce the heat and improve visibility for firefighters attempting to rescue trapped victims and to facilitate extinguishing the fire.

16. Do you get cats or other pets out of trees or off of telephone poles?

No. It is best to place the pets' food in an open container at the base of the tree or pole and wait for the pet to come down on its' own.

17. How do I get a copy of a fire or EMS report?

Call the Fire Department at 419-394-2361. Release forms may need to be signed. Forms are available for download on the Billing page.

18. Can I arrange for a tour of the Fire Department?

Yes. Tours of the department can be scheduled by calling 419-394-2361. Tours are generally conducted between 8 am and 5 pm, usually last about an hour, and are tailored to the ages of the tour group. We request at least one adult for every five juveniles in the group to supervise.

19. Can a fire truck be present at my organization’s function?

Yes. It may be possible for a City fire truck to be on display at a particular function; however, it depends on the department's resources, workload, and emergency call volume.

20. Can a speaker be requested for a local citizen group meeting?

Yes. Fire Department personnel can speak on a variety of topics ranging from home exit drills, fire safety, or emergency medical procedures. To request a speaker for an event or meeting, call 419-394-2361.

21. Does the Fire Department teach CPR?

Yes, we will teach all facets except the Healthcare Provider Course. There is a fee charged for this service and courses will be set to fit the instructor's and department's schedule.

22. What should I do when I see an emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaching?

Ohio State Motor Vehicle Code requires that you pull to the right and stop. Do not slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road or make any sudden moves. Also, do not follow an emergency vehicle too closely or attempt to race ahead of an emergency apparatus attempting to benefit from the traffic cleared by its' lights and siren.

23. How do I dispose of old medicine or medicine no longer needed?

The Fire Department has a medication disposal box located in the lobby of the department.