Fire & EMS

ADMINISTRATION
Staff
Fire Chief/Director - Eddie Buckholts
Fire Marshall - Major David Halcome
Deputy Fire Marshall -
Emergency Medical Services - Captain Matthew Jackson
Billing - Joyce Sartain
Receptionist - Elaine Tyson

Location
4539 Jonesboro Road,
Forest Park, Georgia
Business Phone: 404-608-2383
Fax: 404-608-2385
EMS Billing: 404-608-2384
Email: fpfire@fpfd.net

Business Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Payment for ambulance transports should be made at City Hall, 745 Forest Parkway, Monday through Friday 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services
Office: 404-608-2372
Phone 1: 404-608-2383
Phone 2: 404-608-2373

Mission Statement
To ensure the safety of the community by continually providing the highest quality of service through preparedness, education, and action.

Department Vision
The Forest Park Department of Fire and Emergency Services provides an all hazards approach to providing services to the citizens of Forest Park and its surrounding community. The dynamics of our ever-changing and diverse community present many challenges for the city and services provided.

The department is responsible for preparing for, responding to and mitigating incidents involving fires, emergency medical care, heavy rescue, vehicle extrication, confined spaces, building collapses, rope rescue, hazardous materials, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives. Coupled along with all these area of response are prevention efforts, safety education, citizen involvement and many other efforts to keeping our homeland safe.

Training continues to be the focus in preparing our response to handle these ever-changing disciplines. The department is proud to be noted as a very progressive agency that is continually on the leading edge of technology and innovation.

General Information
The Forest Park Fire Department employs 51 employees. During the fiscal year 2004-2005 Emergency Services answered approximately 3200 calls while maintaining an average of 4-5 minutes response time.

Services Available
Emergency preparedness planning is available for both homes and local businesses. Planning for disasters and evacuation can be accomplished by EMA staff in conjunction with the public at large.

Fire Safety Education and Training
The Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office provides educational and training services in the form of lecture and interactive teaching. Classes include fire prevention, Fire extinguishers, Home safety planning, and home fire escape using the Fire Safety House mobile classroom. If you or your organization is interested in any of these programs call us or click on the links above for more information. Our personnel can tailor classes and training just for you.

Fire/Arson Investigation
The Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office provides professional fire investigation services to its citizens and business community. Our Fire Marshals are fully trained in fire investigation and have undertaken numerous successful prosecutions for the crime of arson. Our office is committed to investigating, detecting and prosecuting anyone who would commit the crime of arson in our jurisdiction.

Early Warning Siren

The Forest Park Emergency Management maintains severe weather early warning sirens to warn citizens and business owners of approaching dangerous weather conditions. Forest Park Emergency Management Agency maintains 5 such sirens within its jurisdiction. In addition the neighboring community of Lake City maintains one early warning siren that is tied into Forest Park's system. A 6th early warning siren is currently being installed at the Georgia Power within the Forest Park city limits. Early Warning systems are tested the first Wednesday of each month, weather permitting. Locations of Forest Park Emergency Management Agency Early Warning Sirens:

· Jonesboro Rd. at Old Jonesboro Rd.
· Main St. at Hill Industrial Blvd.
· Starr Park
· Alder Dr. at Pineridge Dr
· Ft. Gillem Army Base

If you have questions concerning Forest Park's Early warning system or any concerns or questions about emergency management or disaster preparedness please call and our staff will help to address your concerns or questions.

Fire Safety House

The fire safety house is a mobile interactive classroom designed to teach youngsters about fire safety. This two level portable classroom contains a miniature living room and bedroom and a full size kitchen mockup. In addition to using visual aids to emphasize fire safety practices in the home, children can experience a simulated fire and see just what it is like to escape from a burning house. The simulated smoke used in the fire safety house is safe and non-toxic providing for conditions that would be encountered in a fire but not the dangers. Trained fire service personnel who administer the training and monitor the youngsters during their tour supervise the fire safety house. Already schools, daycare centers and community groups have taken advantage of this unique mobile teaching tool. In the three years it has been in operation thousands of children have had the opportunity to receive and benefit from this training. If your organization would like to have the fire safety house participate in your community event or if you would like us to come to your school or day care center, you may contact the Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office at the following numbers. All requests must be made at least within 2 weeks of the event.

Fire Extinguisher Training

The Forest Park Fire Services offer free fire extinguisher training for local businesses. This class includes topics such as types of extinguishers, basic fire behavior, selection of extinguishers, correct use and important safety information. Class size is limited to 25 students and instructors can tailor the class to suit specific needs. The training generally takes about two hours to complete. A final score of at least 70 is required on a written exam for successful course completion. All who successfully complete the class receive a certificate form the Fire Department. Classes can be taught at your location or in the department's training classroom. If your group or organization is interested in taking advantage of this training you may contact the Fire Department at 404-608-2383 or 404-608-2372.

Outdoor Burning

Forest Park residents may obtain a permit for outdoor burning between October 1st and April 30th. Outdoor burning is banned in the metro Atlanta area between May 1st and September 30th. Residents are allowed to burn leaves, small limbs and pine straw only. Large limbs, trees stumps, construction materials and garbage may not be burned. No burning shall be conducted without having first obtained a permit from the Fire Department. There is no cost for a residential burning permit. Permits are good for one day only and may be revoked for cause. The Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office also issues permits for construction site pit burns. The cost for permits is $25.00 per air curtain destructor. If you have questions concerning outdoor burning call the Fire Department at 404-608-2383 or 404-608-2372.

Smoke Detector Program

The Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office maintains a program designed to provide free smoke detectors to citizens who cannot afford them. Early detection of fires is key to escape. The Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office is committed to having smoke detectors installed in every residence within its jurisdiction. Fire Marshals will even come to your home and show you where you need smoke detectors. We can install the smoke detectors if you are unable to do so. Here are a few smoke detector tips:

· Change your clock, change your batteries. Make it a habit to change the battery in your smoke detectors when you change time twice a year

· Detectors older than ten years old should be replaced with new ones

· Smoke detectors should be placed in or near sleeping areas

· Clean your smoke detector. Dust and dirt can clog the device and slow down the time it takes to respond in a fire

· Check your smoke detector monthly. If it fails to sound an alarm change the battery. If it still doesn't work, get a replacement.

If you are interested in this program, need more information on smoke detectors or need a smoke detector call the Fire Marshal's Office at 404-608-2383 or 404-608-2372.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

CERT is a voluntary organization of the U.S. Citizen CORPS program. This group of volunteers are trained by the department to assist in the mitigation of manmade and natural disasters including weather-related incidents. The CERT has 17 members currently and are a huge asset when used as support to the on-duty firefighting.

Department of the Fire Marshal's Office
General Information

The Forest Park Fire Marshal's Office employs 2 full time personnel to serve an 11 square mile community. Personnel are part of the Fire Services administrative staff. Fire Marshals work a regular 40 hour week Monday- Friday and are subject to recall 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Their primary duties include fire code enforcement, fire safety education and training, and fire/arson investigation as well as administrative responsibilities. Office Hours 8 am - 5 pm. Telephone numbers 404-608-2383 or 404-608-2372

General Information
The Forest Park Fire Department employs 51 employees. During the fiscal year 2004-2005 Emergency Services answered approximately 3200 calls while maintaining an average of 4-5 minutes response time.

Services Offered

The Forest Park Fire Marshall's Office conducts fire code compliance inspections for business licensing and new construction projects as well as for routine code compliance and enforcement. Our officers are also available to conduct home fire safety inspections to our citizens at no cost. Forest Park Fire Marshals also respond to fire code violation complaints. Just call our main numbers for information.

Office of the Fire Marshal Links

Georgia State Fire Marshal
www.inscomm.state.ga.us

Georgia Arson Control
www.giis.org

National Fire Protection Association
www.NFPA.org

EMA Links

Georgia Emergency Management Agency
www.gema.state.ga.us

Federal Emergency Management Agency
www.fema.gov

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

Disaster News Network
www.disasternews.net

National Weather Service
www.nws.noaa.gov

Institute for Business and Home Safety
www.ibhs.org

Georgia Mutual Aid Group (GMAG)
www.gmag.org