WHAT TO EXPECT:
WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS
Zeeland Charter Township Fire Department runs apparatus out of our three stations, one in Drenthe, one in Vriesland, and one in Beaverdam. In addition, due to the on-call nature of our staffing, several officers and firefighters may arrive in personal vehicles. Standing policy of the Department is to make sure trucks have been manned and left the stations before firefighters drive directly to the scene. Make every effort to stay clear of traffic areas, driveways, etc. where fire vehicles may have to position themselves.
To a Structure Fire
Of course, the most important thing is safety ... if you've reported a structure fire, evacuate the building first! Officers or Deputies may arrive first, followed closely by the fire trucks. The caller should try to be available to the first arriving units to describe the situation, advise whether evacuation is complete, and answer other questions. As firefighters and equipment arrive, there will be a lot of activity directed toward finding and extinguishing the fire, so the best thing to do is to move with your family to an area off to the side. Some family members may take shelter in neighbor's houses, while the caller remains availble to the Fire Officers in the event more information is needed.
To a Vehicle Fire
The first thing is, get out of the vehicle! Your safety is more important than your possessions, so again, evacuation should be immediate. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle and remain available to answer questions that officers may have. As fire units arrive, there will be lots of activity toward gaining access to the seat of the fire and extinguishing it. Be aware that cars have many components such as tires, bumper-shocks, struts, and more, that can explode and create hazards for a significant distance, so try to move at least fifty feet away from the vehicle.
To a Brush Fire
Grass, Field, and Woods fires are deceptively quick and surprisingly dangerous! Keep a safe distance, and understand that in general, once a fire has expanded beyond just a few square yards, it will get ahead of, around, and behind you, more quickly than you might be able to react. Shifting winds, temperature and humidity conditions, flying embers, and other concerns make a Brush Fire highly unpredictable. You won't usually see an 80,000-pound fire engine driving out into a field, so expect to see apparatus stage along roadways to supply firefighters with back-pack type extinguishers and hoselines, and small lightweight brush trucks arrive to enter the area. Again, the caller should try to remain available to Fire Officers on scene to provide information that may prove helpful in reducing the danger and damage.
To a Carbon Monoxide Alarm / Gas Leak
In both cases, evacuate immediately! The department will respond with equipment that can sample the air and determine if gases have reached dangerous levels, and will coordinate with utilities to determine what needs to be done to return the environment to a safe condition. Above all, don't re-enter until cleared to do so, no matter how safe the situation "looks", because invisible odorless gas can completely displace oxygen, making it impossible to breathe, and could cause you to lose consciousness in the blink of an eye. The caller should stand by to provide Fire Officers with important information.
Remember - FIRST, EVACUATE ... Then, because Response Time is Very Important when a fire or gas leak occurs, please don't waste any time before you call 911.