Keep Your Neighborhood Safe - Please Shovel Out Your
Hydrant
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department is encouraging all citizens
to please shovel around their nearest fire hydrant. During and
after snow storms, snow from the roadway gets plowed onto curbs and
piles up quite high. Please shovel a 2-foot wide path around your
fire hydrants from the road so firefighters can have immediate
access to connect their supply hoses.
Fire Pit Burning
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department has established a set of
guidelines in order to use a fire pit.
Guidelines for Fire Pit Burning:
- The size of the pit must not exceed 4' X 4' X 3' high.
- The fire pit must be a minimum of 25' from any combustibles and
10' from the lot line.
- Fire pits must be attended at all times while burning.
- A fire extinguisher or hose must be accessible to the fire pit
at all times while burning.
- If the wind speed is greater than 10mph, burning is prohibited.
Wind speed information can be obtained by calling the Fire
Department.
- Upon completion of burning, the fire must be completely
extinguished.
-
All burning must be done in a safe and nuisance free manner as
specified by the Kaukauna Fire Department.
Open Burning Guidelines
- An annual permit is required.
- The permit can be issued at any time during the calendar year
and expires on December 31st of the year issued.
- On the day you intend to burn, you must contact the Kaukauna
Fire Department at 766-6320 and inform them of your intent. Please
have your permit number readily available.
- Burning can be done between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 30
minutes before sunset.
- Burning will not be conducted without a permit and/or if wind
conditions exceed 10 mph. You may contact us to find out the
current wind conditions.
- A fire extinguisher or hose must be on site of the
burning.
- The size of the pile of material to burn must not exceed 4ft by
4ft by 3 ft high.
- Material to be burnt shall be at least 25 ft. from any
combustibles other than grass.
- Material to be burnt must be 10 ft. off the property line.
- Property owners or renters may burn yard waste. This does not
include business and industry. Yard waste is defined as leaves,
grass clippings, yard and garden debris, and brush, including
clean, woody vegetative matter smaller than six inches in
diameter.
- Burning is to be attended at ALL times.
- Upon completion of daily burning, the fire must be completely
extinguished.
If you have any questions regarding the above guidelines, please
contact the Kaukauna Fire Department at 766-6320, ext. 0.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms - 2011 State of WI Law
Effective February 1, 2011 new requirements in 2009 Wisconsin
Act 158 relating to carbon monoxide alarms will go into effect. The
new law requires the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in all
family homes licensed for 3-4 persons and community-based
residential facilities licensed for 5-8 persons built before
October 1, 2008 and have fuel burning appliances.
Owners are requires to install carbon monoxide alarms in the
basement of the facility and on each floor level except the attic,
garage, or storage area of each dwelling unit. For the
aforementioned homes and facilities, there is no mandatory type of
power source for the alarms. This condition allows for installed
carbon monoxide alarms to be powered by battery, electrical outlet
plug-ins or wiring to the buildings electrical service, with backup
battery power supply.
For more information, please view the following websites:
Child Fire Safety
Children playing with fire causes hundreds of deaths and
injuries each year. Preschoolers and kindergartners are most likely
to start these fires, typically by playing with matches and
lighters, and are most likely to die in them.
Facts & figures
- In 2006, children playing with fire started an estimated 14,500
structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments,
causing an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 810 civilian injuries and
$328 million in direct property damage.
- Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all fatal victims of fires by
playing are children 5 years old and younger.
- Nearly two out of every three child-playing fires -- and four
out of five associated deaths and injuries -- involve matches or
lighters.
- The items ignited by home fire-play are principally mattresses,
bedding or clothing.
Smoke Alarms
Facts & figures
A 2008 survey found that 96% of U.S. households had at least one
smoke alarm, yet in 2003-2006, no smoke alarms were present or none
operated in two out of the five (41%) of the reported home
fires.
Almost two-thirds of reported home fire deaths in 2003-2006
resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working
smoke alarms.
When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because
batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.
Home Escape Planning
Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little
as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Your ability
to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms, and
advance planning - a home fire escape plan that everyone in your
family is familiar with and has practiced.
Facts and figures
- Only one-fifth to one-fourth of households (23%) have actually
developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they
could escape quickly and safely.
- In 2006, there were an estimated 396,000 reported home
structure fires and 2,580 associated civilian deaths in the United
States.
- One-third of American households who made an estimate thought
they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home
would become life-threatening. The time available is often less.
And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would
be to get out!
Vehicle Fires
During 2007, U.S. public fire departments responded to an
estimated 266,500 highway-type vehicle fires. These fires claimed
520 lives and caused $969 million in direct property damage.
Highway vehicles include cars, trucks, motorcycles and other
vehicles commonly driven on roads or highways.
Facts and Figures
One (17%) of every six reported fires involves a highway-type
vehicle and 13% of all civilian fire deaths.
On average, more than 30 highway vehicle fires were reported per
hour.
In 2004, more people died from highway vehicle fires than from
apartment fires. Three times as many vehicle fires were reported as
apartment fires.
Cars and other passenger vehicles account for the vast majority
of highway vehicle fires and associated losses. In 1999-2002, only
13% of highway vehicle fire actually occurred on highways; 37%
occurred on streets, roads or driveways, and 15% were in parking
lots.
More than two-thirds of highway vehicle fires resulted from
mechanical or electrical failures or malfunctions. Collisions or
rollovers caused only 3% of these fires but 57% of the associated
deaths.
Motor vehicles contain multiple gallons of highly flammable
gasoline and other combustible liquids, including motor oil, power
steering fluid, transmission fluid and brake fluid. Leakage of
these fluids is the leading item first ignited in highway vehicle
fires (1999-2002).
Source: National estimates based on NFIRS and NFPA survey
Grilling Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),
U.S. Fire Departments responded to an average of 7,900 home fires
involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year. The following
safety tips will help you, and your family, enjoy a safe, memorable
grilling season.
Safety Tips:
- Position the grill a minimum of 10' from homes and combustibles
such as siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and
overhanging branches.
- Do not grill underneath tarps or tents.
- Periodically remove grease or fat build up in trays below grill
so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
- Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a
three-foot "safe zone" around the grill. The grill area should be
set apart from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
Facts & figures
- Gas grills have a higher fire risk than charcoal grills; leaks
and breaks are the leading cause, accounting for two-fifths (41%)
of the gas grill structure and outdoor fires.
- Gas-fueled grills caused an estimated 2,800 home structure
fires and 4,400 home outdoor fires in 2005.
- Charcoal grills have a higher risk than gas grills of death due
to unvented carbon monoxide; most of these deaths do not involve
fire.
- Charcoal-fueled or other solid-fueled grills caused an
estimated 600 home structure fires and 500 home outdoor fires in
2005.
- Placing combustibles too close to heat is the leading cause for
charcoal grill home fires.
- Over one-third (35%) of all gas grill and charcoal grill home
structure fires begin on an exterior balcony or unenclosed
porch.
- Flammable or combustible gas or liquid, including gas fuel, is
the leading item first ignited for home gas grill fires.
- Structural member or framing and exterior wall covering or
finish, are the leading items first ignited for home structure
charcoal grill fires.
Source: NFPA's "Selections From Home Fires Involving Cooking
Equipment, Grills" report by John R. Hall, Jr., February 2008.
Fire Department Tours
Group tours are available for all age groups by calling the
Department and scheduling a time and date. Individual tours are
available by stopping in at the Department between 8:00 AM to 4:30
PM, Monday through Friday.
Confined Space
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department provides confined space rescue
to the City of Kaukauna as well as Appleton Coated located in
Combined Locks. The City of Kaukauna Fire Department has invested
in the equipment and tools necessary to handle such a situation
should the need arise.
Emergency Medical Care
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department provides Paramedic level
emergency medical and trauma care to the residents of the City of
Kaukauna as well as townships to the north, south and east sides of
the city. Transport is made to Fox Valley and Green Bay area
hospitals.
Fire Prevention
Fire prevention is an ongoing responsibility of the City of
Kaukauna Fire Department. Prevention in maintained through public
education, routine fire inspections of local businesses, and
constant monitoring of potential threats.
Fire Suppression
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department provides fire protection to
the residents of Kaukauna on a 24-hour basis. The department
utilizes 2 - Engines, 1 - 105ft Aerial ladder as well as a Special
Operations Unit to provide this protection
Public Education
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department provides public education
throughout the year. The month of October is especially important
as we recognize Fire Prevention Week on an annual basis. Please
contact the department for your educational needs.
Water Rescue
The City of Kaukauna Fire Department provides water rescue to the
residents of Kaukauna through the use of a Zodiac boat as well as
an aluminum boat. We also provide ice water rescue and swift water
rescue services.
Applications
The Kaukauna Fire Department is NOT accepting applications at this
time. Thank you for your interest.
Can I have a fire pit in the City of
Kaukauna?
Yes. Please follow the guidelines as listed in the services tab of
our website.
Do I need a burning permit to burn?
Yes, a permit is needed if you burn any yard waste such as leaves
or brush.
Does the Kaukauna Fire Department have a firefighter
intern program?
Yes. Our intern program is available and coordinated in conjunction
with those individuals enrolled in the Fire Protection Program at
Fox Valley Technical College.
Does the Kaukauna Fire Department have
volunteers?
No, the Kaukauna Fire Department is a full-time career department.
The Department does however utilize Paid-on-Call staff.
How do I get a burning permit?
Burning permits are available at the Fire Department.
How is the Kaukauna Fire Department
staffed?
Kaukauna Fire Department is a full-time career fire department that
is staffed full-time with Fire Fighter/Paramedics. We also have a
Paid-On-Call staff of Fire Fighters that is used for various fire
related situations. The Kaukauna Fire Department consists of a Fire
Chief, 4 Assistant Fire Chiefs, 3 Lieutenants, and 11 line
personnel of various ranks represented by Kaukauna Fire Fighters
Union Local 1594. In addition, there are 15 paid-on-call Fire
Fighters as noted above.
How much do I get charged for the Fire Department
responding to my place of business or residence?
There is no charge for this.
I have a non-emergency related question.
Please contact the departments main number at 766-6320, ext. 0 and
speak with the on-duty officer.
I have a question regarding my ambulance
bill.
Please contact the City of Kaukauna Finance Office at 766-6312.
Is there a fee for burning permits?
No, burning permits are free of charge.
Is there a ride-along program with the Kaukauna Fire
Department?
Yes. Our ride-along program is specifically designed for those
individuals who are currently enrolled in either the EMT-Basic or
EMT-Paramedic program at Fox Valley Technical College.
What qualifications are required for employment with the
City of Kaukauna Fire Department?
Entry level Full-time employees are required to be a Certified Fire
Fighter I and current licensure as a State of Wisconsin
Paramedic.
Why is the boat launch at Riverside Park periodically
closed?
When more than three Splicer Gates are open, the current in the
river is too swift to allow safe boating.