Q. Can you come get the snake in my yard?
A. We can, only if it is a rattlesnake and is in your immediate area (near a door, car, inside a house or garage). We can move the snake but only out of that area; most likely we will drop it over your back fence. If we move it more than a hundred yards or so the snake can be disoriented and die. Bull, gopher and king snakes are not a danger to people. If you have bull snakes and/or king snakes around there is a much smaller chance of having rattlesnakes in your yard. Check the Internet to learn how to identify snakes. Sites like www.reptilesofAZ.org or http://www.snakesofarizona.com/ are pretty good. A pest control company or handyman can “snake proof” your yard. There are products like “Snake Away” or moth balls that can deter snake. Some people say the work, other say they don’t. You can do research on the Internet. Call (480) 945-6311 to have rattlesnakes removed.
It is also a good idea to have your dog “snake trained.” This is where they put an electric shock collar on your dog and then they have your dog smell a rattlesnake in a cage and shock your dog. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend someone who does snake training. Make sure they use a rattlesnake not some other type of snake.
Q. There is a javelina in my yard. What do I do about it?
A. Javelina are wild animals that live in the desert. Leave them alone and they will go away. Do not feed them or they will come back.
Q. What do I do with old propane tanks?
A. Check the town’s Household Hazardous Waste for information: http://www.fh.az.gov/household-hazardous-waste.aspx . The fire department does not accept propane tanks.
Q. There are bees at my house, can you come kill them?
A. The Fire Department can only respond to your house if the bees are attacking people or pets. In the spring time bees swarm and travel around. There is a good chance the bees will be gone in an hour or two. You can also call an exterminator to kill the bees for you; several work from Fountain Hills.
Q. Do you teach CPR classes at the fire station?
A. Our firefighters teach CPR classes for the public once a month at the Community Center. The Parks and Recreation Department does the scheduling, and you can sign up on the website, http://online.activecommunities.com/fountainhills/Activities/ActivitiesDetails.asp?ProcessWait=N&aid=207, or at the Community Center or Town Hall. The cost is $30 and classes are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. one Saturday a month. Call Kathy Worrell (480) 816-5170 for questions. For private group CRP lessons you can contact Captain Todd Brunin at (480) 313-6692.
Q. Can I stop by the fire station and have a car seat installed?
A. You should call (480) 837-9820 option #3 and leave a message to make an appointment to have them installed. We will teach you how to install the car seat. This takes about 45 minutes.
Q. If I have to call 911 for a medical emergency what information should I be prepared with?
A. The Fountain Hills Fire Department and its volunteer support group “C.A.R.E./FH” have created a “C.A.R.E. Package” that will provide important personal medical information to Fire Department and Ambulance Paramedics during an emergency. The package is a labeled prescription vial that includes a medical information form along with a refrigerator magnet and 1” sticker. The blue “C.A.R.E./FH” heart logo is featured on the magnet and sticker alerting first responders to your participation in the program. It is requested the magnet be placed on the outside, upper corner of your refrigerator door. Options for the 1” sticker location include on the vial cap or at the front door. The vial with the completed form is placed in a visible location inside the refrigerator door.
Thanks to a generous donation from the Langston Family Foundation and support from the local Basha’s and Safeway pharmacies, a limited supply of complete “C.A.R.E. Packages” are available. Complimentary “C.A.R.E. Packages” can be picked up at both Fountain Hills Fire Stations, Basha’s and Safeway Pharmacies, as well as additional locations as the program expands.
It is important to keep the medical information current. Additional forms can be filled out and printed from the link below or from the C.A.R.E. website. Contributions to the “C.A.R.E./FH” program (501c3) are graciously accepted at the C.A.R.E. website to help keep this 100% volunteer/donation-funded program operational. Fountain Hills Fire Department and “C.A.R.E./FH” thank you for your support.
Click here to download the Medicial Information Form.
Q. Where are the fire stations in Fountains Hills?
A. There are two fire stations in Fountain Hills. Both are staffed 24 hours a day but that does not mean someone is actually at the station 24/7. If you have an emergency it is best if you call 911 instead of going to the fire station. Fire Station #1 is located at 16426 E Palisades Blvd, across Palisades from Wal-Greens. Fire Station #2 is at 16821 E. Saguaro Blvd, south of Shea, behind Target.
Q. Is the Fountain Hill Fire Department hiring firefighters?
A. Fountain Hills contracts their fire department man power through the Rural/Metro Corporation. You can find open job postings for Rural/Metro here: http://public.ruralmetro.com/general/EmpResc.nsf/jobTitle?OpenPage.
Q: I have some old needles I need to get rid of. Can I drop them off at the fire station?
A. No, but you can call one of the hazardous materials disposal companies listed here or in the phone book: http://www.fh.az.gov/household-hazardous-waste.aspx. For example, PSC Environmental charges $125 for a 5 gallon size container plus $25 for shipping.
Q. Can I drop off some hazardous chemicals I need to get rid of at the fire station?
A. No, check the town’s Household Hazardous Waste page for info http://www.fh.az.gov/household-hazardous-waste.aspx.
Q. What should I do with my old fire extinguisher?
A. For businesses, all fire extinguishers need to be inspected every year by a licensed fire extinguisher maintenance company. These can be found in the Yellow Pages under “Fire Protection Equipment” or on the extinguisher’s tag (this is the company who previously serviced it). If your extinguisher is more than 7 years old is it supposed to be rebuilt by a fire extinguisher company. Often it may be cheaper to replace the extinguisher than to rebuild it but it depends on the quality of the extinguisher.
If you have an old extinguisher at your house and the pressure gauge is in the “green” more than likely it will work, but not for sure. It is best once or twice a year to turn the extinguisher upside down and hit the side and bottom of it with a rubber mallet to break-up the compacted dry chemicals.
Q. What do I have to do to maintain my fire sprinklers?
A. Per the International Fire Code, every commercial building must have their sprinkler system inspected every year by a licensed company. You can find these companies listed in the Yellow Pages under “Fire Protection Equipment” or you can find the inspection tag, which should be attached to your riser, and call the company who inspected it last year.
For your home, the National Fire Code does not require annual inspections after the sprinklers have passed the initial inspection but it is good if you have them checked buy a licensed company once a year.
Q. How do I maintain my smoke detectors?
A. Twice a year you should change the batteries and blow the detector out with a can of compressed air or an air compressor. We recommend the 4th of July and Christmas or whatever holidays you can remember. If you cannot reach the smoke detectors yourself you can call a handyman to change the batteries for you. Smoke detectors have a 10 year lifespan and need to be replaced every 10 years. Most of the smoke detectors in Fountain Hills are hard wired to the house so they do not use battery power. Sometimes people think they do not need to change the batteries in these smoke detectors; however, the batteries are a back up. If your house loses power and in the event of a fire, you will need the charged batteries in your smoke detectors.
Q. Can I get my blood pressure checked if I come to the station?
A. Yes, you can come to the either station and we will be happy to check your blood pressure, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Q. Can you come get a dead animal out of the road?
A. If there is a dead animal on town property (most likely in the road) call Town Hall (480) 816-5100 x0(during business hours) and they will send a service out to remove the animal. If the animal is on your property it is your responsibility. These are a few animal removal services Entrust Pet (602) 430-6866, ACS (623) 842-0908, and Fountain Hills Construction Clean-up (480) 560-3917. The charge around $70 for pick-up and Entrust Pet and ACS offer cremation for around $100 depending on the size of the animal.
Q. How do you get into my house if I cannot get up and unlock the door?
A. Ideally, there will be a lock box with a key on the house and the combination will be in the computer at our dispatch center. Otherwise, we will try to break in doing as little damage as possible.
There are three ways you can get a lock box. The first option; you can call Lockboxes for Seniors, 1-877-229-5042, which is sponsored by the Scottsdale Association of Realtors and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and get a similar lock box to the ones that are sold at hardware stores. For seniors which and annual income less than $25,000 the boxes are free. For all others, there is a $25 donation.
The second option; you can buy one at a hardware store for about $35 and install it on a hose bib or metal railing or metal fence near your front door. Then call Captain Brian Murray at (480) 627-7408 or Luther Moorhead at (480) 627-6414 to let us know your address, the combination and location of the lock box.
The third option; you can get a Knox Box which is a black metal box with a red reflective stripe that will be permanently bolted/screwed to the front of your house. Only the fire department has the key to the box. The boxes start at $159. Call C.A.R.E./FH for more information (480) 478-4030.
Q. I locked my keys in my car; can you open my car for me?
We are only able to unlock your car if there is a child or a pet locked inside or the vehicle is running. For any other reason you will need to call a locksmith. If you go through your car insurance company you may get a lower rate.
Q. What is the C.A.R.E./F.H. program and how do I get involved with the?
The C.A.R.E./F.H. program is a completely volunteer run and donation funded organization. They provide excellent 24 hour crisis intervention services to support and assist local town residents during and after an unexpected tragedy. To donate or find out more info visit their web site, www.careFH.org or call (480) 478-4030.
Q. What is the Redicare Ambulance Membership Program, and how do I join?
A. Basically it is a program that covers any costs from an ambulance trip that your health insurance does not cover. It cost around $70/year and covers anyone living in your residence. Open enrollment is only during the month of October. Call (480) 627-6200 or (800) 645-9413 for more details or question and to sign-up.