Contact Questions:

Q: What is the emergency telephone number in Edinboro and Washington Township?
A: 9-1-1 is the telephone number you should dial for Police, Fire and EMS emergencies in both the Borough of Edinboro and in Washington Township.

Q: What number should I dial for non-emergency calls?
A: (814) 734-1823 will connect you to the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department.

Q: What is the phone number for the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall?
A: The phone number is 814-434-0156. Please leave a message on the answering machine and our Social Hall coordinator, Judi Wray, will call you back to schedule your event. You can check the hall availability by clicking here.

Q: I recently received a telephone call asking for a donation that benefits my local Fire Department. Who receives the donations?
A: The Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department does not solicit donations via the telephone. Our Department conducts and annual fund drive every April with two mailings. These funds are divided between trucks, equipment, fire stations, administration, safety/training, and fire prevention. You may make a donation to the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department vial mail at the address below or through PayPal by clicking HERE:

Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department
Fund Drive
125 Meadville Street
Edinboro, PA 16412

Fire Department Services:

Q: Does the Fire Department give tours of the Fire Station or can we get a visit from the Fire Department?
A: Yes, we do give tours of the Fire Station for groups of kids and individuals. It is best if you call ahead and schedule a time to visit the station if it is a group of kids. This helps ensure that there is someone here that can show you around the station. You can call the Fire Department at 814-734-1823 to schedule a tour of the station and the trucks.

Q: Does the Fire Department fill swimming pools?
A: No, we are not able to fill swimming pools due to varying costs of water and the wear and tear on the equipment. We recommend that you contact one of the commercial haulers in the Yellow Pages under Water Hauling.

Q: I called the Fire Department and asked if they would send someone out because my smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector, etc. was going off. I just wanted them to take a look at it, and they sent numerous fire trucks to my house, with lights and sirens blaring. Why did they do that?
A: The Fire Department is required to send a certain number of trucks to the scene of any structure-related incident, based on the type of incident. Since we have no way of knowing the exact situation when we are dispatched, we have to assume that there is a fire or other emergency situation until we determine otherwise.

Q: Does the Fire Department pump flooded basements?
A: Yes, we can assist you with basement flooding, however emergency calls will take priority over our response to your incident and in the case of severe flooding this service becomes first-come-first served.

Q: My cat is in a tree and won’t come down. Can the Fire Department come and get him?
A: The Fire Department is not able to bring a truck to rescue animals in a tree. We suggest placing food on the ground underneath the tree and when the cat gets hungry enough, he will come down.

Q: Does the Fire Department have tables or chairs to rent?
A: Unfortunately we are not able to rent our tables and chairs from our social hall for outside events.

About EVFD:

Q: I called the fire station and no one answered the phone. If there’s no one at the station, how do you know when you have an emergency call?
A: Since we are a 100% volunteer force, we do not stay at the station and wait for calls to come in. There are numerous reasons that the Firefighters are not at the station. They may be on another call, training, doing equipment maintenance, or they may be at the station and just unable to answer the phone. All Fire Department personnel have personal pagers, radios, and alarms in the station that alert them to a call. That is why you should always call 9-1-1 when there is an emergency.

Q: I’m interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter, how can I get more information?
You can click on the “Recruitment” link to get more information and download an application, or you can call us at (814) 734-1823 and leave a message for the membership committee, and someone will return or call and answer any questions that you might have. You can also stop by our main station any Wednesday evening during our training drills to speak with us in person.

Q: What Does the Term 'Volunteer' Mean?
A: The fire service in the United States has a rich tradition of volunteer fire departments (or companies) dating back to the days of Benjamin Franklin. These volunteer fire companies provided fire suppression services through the time and talent of the members of the community. As time progressed and some areas grew, the need for full-time (or career) firefighters developed. This occurred mainly in medium to large cities where the industry and tax base both required and could pay for a full-time staff. In other areas, volunteer departments continued to provide quality cost effective services to their community.
The Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department continues the rich tradition of volunteerism through extensive involvement in the community assisting and supporting a wide variety of organizations and events.

Q: What are Fire Police?
A: Fire Police are highly trained members of the fire department who respond directly to the incident scene to provide traffic and crowd control. The Fire Police play an important role in the operational safety of an incident scene, providing protection to both our firefighters and you. Because of their expertise and training they are sometimes asked to respond to police incidents to also help with traffic and crowd control. As with our firefighters, all of the Fire Police are volunteers also.

Q: Do you have a Dalmatian?
A: No, but a number of our members do have personal pets. Cats, dogs, etc.

Q: Can I do community service with the Fire Department?
A: The EVFD does not participate in any community service programs.

Community Questions:

Q: My insurance company has asked for the insurance rating for my property. What is that, and where can I find it?
A: The Insurance Services Office has created a Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating that describes the fire protection system of a community on a 1 to 10 rating with a 1 being the best. The PCC is based 50% on the Fire Department, 40% on the municipal water system, and 10% on the dispatching/911 system in place. The lower the number, the better the Fire Department’s rating. The EVFD just recently conducted their 10-year ISO audit and lowered our score one full point which is a significant achievement.

The Borough of Edinboro in its entirety is currently rated as a 5.

Washington Township has three ratings based on various criteria:

• - Areas within five road miles of the Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department and within 1,000 feet of a fire are currently rated as a ISO PPC Class 5.
  
• - Areas outside of five road miles of the station, BUT ARE within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant are rated as a ISP PPC Class 9.
  
• - Areas outside of five road miles of the station and ARE NOT within 1,000 feet of a fire hydrant are rated as an ISO PPC Class 10.

Q: I don’t have power to my house after a storm. Does the Fire Department know when power will be restored?
A: The Fire Department does not have any control over power-related issues. If you have a power outage, please contact your electric company at the numbers provided in the phone book. The Department uses the same phone number and we do not receive any more information on the outage than you do when we call.

Q: I have to drive to Edinboro, can we call you and get the road conditions?
A: The Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department does not provide road conditions report and we suggest you contact the PA Roadway Conditions Hotline 1-888-783-6783.

Q: How do I know if there is a ban on burning?
A: Burning bans are usually announced on the local news channels and we will place a notice on our website. The local municipality can enact the burning ban at any time. Even if there is not a ban on burning, please use good judgment about burning in dry and/or windy conditions, and always be prepared before burning by having rakes and garden hoses nearby. Please ensure that you are burning in accordance with the current Borough of Edinboro and Washington Township Ordinances.

Q: I’ve seen the green reflective address signs around Town. How do I get one?
A: The Fire Department sells the signs for $15 each. They can be ordered by calling the Fire Department at 814-734-1823. There is also a form that you can fill out at HERE. You can mail a check or use PayPal to order your sign today.

Fire Department Equipment & Response Questions:

Q: When there is only a small fire, why do so many fire engines respond?
A: A "Standard Response Plan" policy is utilized on all responses. This system is a pre-designated formula that determines the amount and type of equipment sent to the incident. For example, a residential structure fire includes a minimum of two engine companies, one ladder company, one squad and a paramedic. If these units are not needed, they are released by the Incident Commander.

Q: Why do firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs when the fire is inside a building? It seems that they are causing more damage than the fire.
A: Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In many instances, firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. Heat and smoke rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool air to enter the structure from below. We call this "ventilation". This improves visibility and lowers heat conditions for the firefighters inside, allowing them to quickly and safely extinguish the fire. Remember, heat and smoke cause damage too, so ventilation will actually reduce overall damage to a building and contents.

Q: If I were trapped in a burning building, would firefighters be able to rescue me?
A: This all depends on you and the fire protection features of the building you are in at the time of the fire. Relying on the expertise and resources of your local firefighters to save you in a fire is risky at best. The best rescue is self rescue. Install smoke detectors in your home and check them monthly. Have a fire escape plan that includes 2 ways out of each room/home, and practice it monthly with your children. Learn what to do in the event of fire in your home. Never re-enter a burning building. If you panic, your chances of survival decrease drastically. If you are trapped and you know the fire department is on scene, make your location known by yelling, opening a window and hanging something out, or calling 9-1-1 and relaying your location to the dispatcher. Stuff bedding or towels under the door to keep deadly smoke and gases out of the room. Do not hide! Stay near a window or doorway. Firefighters are trained to search under windows and doorways during rescue searches. If you are on a second floor you may be able to hang from a window and drop to the ground without suffering significant injury. This option should be considered a last resort, and only when smoke or heat makes the room you are in uninhabitable.

Q: I am disabled and in an emergency, I would not be able to get out of my house by myself. Is there anything I can do ahead of time to alert the Fire Department?
A: If you have this situation, please contact the Fire Department, so that they can get this information in our computer system. If there’s ever an emergency at your address, we would be alerted to the fact that there is a disabled resident at that address and make every effort possible to rescue you. This information is keep strictly confidential. Please call 814-734-1823.

Q: When I see an emergency vehicle approaching while I am driving, should I always pull over to the right and stop?
A: State law, and common sense, dictate that vehicles yield to emergency vehicles that are operating their emergency lights and siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are taught to pass on the left whenever possible when responding in an emergency mode. When you see an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction, slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. Do not pull to the left. However, there are rare circumstances where that may not be possible (if you car is already stopped, and you don't have anywhere to pull over). Simply stay put until the emergency vehicle goes around you. If you are blocking the route of the emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and over into a clear area, use your turn signal to indicate your intentions, and proceed at a safe speed. Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road when you see apparatus approaching. Make no sudden moves. If an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, you should always pull over to the right and stop. You have no idea if they are proceeding down the road, or are planning on turning into a driveway or intersection right in front of you. Do not tailgate, "draft", or follow a responding apparatus closely. Not only is this illegal but it is also deadly; you run the risk of collision as vehicles pull back out into traffic after the emergency vehicle goes by.

Q: Why do I see fire trucks go through intersections with their red lights flashing, and then turn them off? Are they just in a hurry to go somewhere?
A: Emergency lights and siren are used only when responding to a call – no exceptions. Apparatus responding to calls are frequently cancelled, or the first arriving unit determines that the call is not an emergency and tells the units to “downgrade” to a non-emergency mode, or to return to their station.

Q: I see fire trucks driving through my neighborhood, and in other places in Edinboro. What are they doing?
A: These personnel may be doing any number of things. As an example, new personnel are frequently learning the operation of equipment. Part of this training involves driving so that these people can get the units to the fire scene in a safe manner. Each new member on the department must spend a minimum of 50 miles behind the wheel of the trucks to be familiar with their operation. Other reasons that personnel are going through neighborhoods include training, street familiarization, and pre-fire planning of neighborhoods.

Q: What do blue lights mean on a car?
A: Volunteer firefights are allowed to equip their vehicles with a blue light if they choose. A blue light does not give them the rights of an emergency vehicle with lights and siren on. However, these lights are meant to communicate to other motorists on the road that they are in fact responding to an emergency. We do ask that motorists pull to the right whenever safely possible to allow these vehicles with blue lights to cautiously pass by. Keep in mind, these volunteers could be responding to your house. Persons operating a blue light are not authorized to violate any vehicle and traffic laws.

Q: How do I get a copy of a Fire Report?
A: All requests for reports must be in writing and must contain the name, address, phone number of requestor, date and location of the incident, and whether requestor is a person, business or firm. There is a fee of $15 for requested information. Requests for reports are usually processed in 5 to 10 business days. Please note that Patient Care Reports (PCRs) are confidential medical records and will only be released to the named patient. Contact the Chief for more information.

Emergency Medical Services Questions:

Q: I need a CPR course. Who teaches these courses locally?
A: The Edinboro Volunteer Fire Department is currently working on the ability to provide CPR and AED training to the community.

 
Q: Will I be charged for ambulance service?
A: Yes, there is a charge for all ambulance transports and services when rendered. Almost all insurance companies will cover emergency ambulance transports. If an ambulance is called for you and, after assessment, is determined unnecessary there will be no charge in most cases.

Q: If I am unable to pay, will the department be willing to set up a payment plan?
A: We are more than willing to work with you on the balance of your claim. All we ask is that you contact our billing specialist to make arrangements.

Q: Does the department submit my claim to my insurance?
A: We do submit insurance claims if we have the appropriate information. We file Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance. We are required to have a signature from you or a family member before we are able to file your claim

Q: Who do I contact about an ambulance bill question?
A: You may call our billing agent, West County Paramedics at (814) 774-8501 for any questions regarding an ambulance bill.

Q: To which hospitals do you transport your patients?
A: The EVFD will transport patients to Hamot, Meadville, Millcreek, Saint Vincents, and Veterans hospitals at the request of the patient or family. If you are unable to tell the crew and you are injured with severe trauma, you will be transported to Hamot hospital, Erie County’s Regional Trauma Center.

Q: I've heard about a new device called an "Automatic External Defibrillator" (AED). What is an AED?
A: An AED is small basic life saving device that is used to “Jump Start” your heart. This piece of equipment is carried on all the fire and EMS apparatus. AED’s are now being placed in many public places.

Fire Prevention:

Q: What type of fire extinguisher is best suited for home use?
A: The ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher is probably the best choice for home use. This extinguisher can be used on class "A", class "B", or class "C" fires.

Q: How are fires classified?
A: Class "A" fires involve wood, paper, rags, etc.
Class "B" fires involve flammable liquids such as cooking oils, gasoline, fuel oil, paint solvents, etc.
Class "C" fires are any of the above classes of fire which are also involved with energized electrical circuits or equipment.
There are other classes of fire that are found in industrial settings and are not common in the home.

Q: Where should fire extinguishers be located in the home?
A: There should be at least one fire extinguisher located on each floor (1st floor, 2nd floor, etc.) of the home and in the garage. Also, it is advisable to carry a fire extinguisher in your vehicle. Your fire extinguisher should be mounted or stored in an easily accessible location close to an area where it is likely to be needed (kitchen, basement workshop, or garage, etc.) and preferably along an exit path.

Q: How long can I keep a fire extinguisher?
A: That depends on several factors. Good quality fire extinguishers can last many years as long as they are able to pass the required periodic testing. Some of the smaller less expensive fire extinguishers have a maximum life specified (usually 12 years) after which they are to be discarded.

Q: What maintenance is required for the fire extinguisher?
A: Periodic checking of the pressure gauge (at least annually) to verify if it is in the "OK" range. Other maintenance/recharge instructions can be found on the label on the fire extinguisher and also in the National Fire Protection publication NFPA No. 10. Maintenance/recharging can be performed by local fire extinguisher sales and service companies. However, some companies will not recharge or service a fire extinguisher that uses a plastic valve body.

Q: Will the fire department provide advice and training on the use of a fire extinguisher?
A: Yes we will. We also have pamphlets to give to you which address the use of fire extinguishers in the home. We can show you videos on the use of fire extinguishers and can demonstrate proper usage using your own fire extinguisher. Please stop by the fire station or give us a call if you have any questions.

Q: Know how to operate your fire extinguisher. Remember the word "PASS"
P-Pull the pin.
A-Aim low towards the base of the fire.
S-Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
S-Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Q: How often do I need to change the battery in my smoke detector?
A: We recommend that residents change the batteries in smoke detectors every six months. A good time to change the batteries is during the spring and fall time changes.

Q: When should I replace my smoke detector?
A: Most smoke detector manufacturers recommend replacing detectors every 10 years.