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Since the fire station may receive an emergency call while the tour is in progress, responsible adults are required to accompany all tours to monitor the children while the firefighters are gone.
In the event that an emergency call comes in prior to the tour, and you arrive and there is no one at the station, please wait patiently as we will return to the station as soon as the call is completed. If it is not possible to return, we will be happy to reschedule your tour.
1. Listen to the pattern of the beeps to determine the type of problem. A label or markings on the alarm should tell you what the beeps mean (i.e. faulty alarm, low battery, or alarm). 2. If you are unable to determine the nature of the beeping, turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (i.e. furnace, gas stoves, and fireplace). 3. Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows. 4. Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the possible CO buildup.
If illness is a factor:
1. Evacuate all occupants immediately. 2. Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms. 3. Call 9-1-1 and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill. 4. Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative. 5. Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO.
Cooking fires are allowed under the following conditions:(1) The fire is built in a fireplace, or grill;(2) The fire is used for cooking purposes only;(3) The fire is kept under competent and continuous supervision;(4) All flammable and combustible material not used as fuel for the fire is removed a sufficient distance from the fire so as not to constitute a hazard;(5) All fires and coals are thoroughly extinguished after the use thereof has been completed; and(6) Only clean, dry firewood or charcoal may be used for cooking fires. Construction materials or yard waste are strictly prohibited. The use of flammable or combustible liquids, other than commercially produced charcoal lighter fluid, to start the fire is strictly prohibited.
Recreational fires are allowed under the following conditions:(1) The fire is in a commercially available portable fireplace, a chiminea, a permanent outdoor fireplace constructed of stone or firebrick, or in an approved fire pit. For purposes of this Section, an approved fire pit shall be bare ground with no vegetation no less than fifteen feet in diameter.(2) Only clean, dry firewood may be used for recreational fires. Construction materials or yard waste is strictly prohibited. The use of flammable or combustible liquids, other than commercially produced charcoal lighter fluid, to start the fire is strictly prohibited.(3) The fire is kept under competent and continuous supervision.(4) All flammable and combustible material not used as fuel for the fire is removed a sufficient distance from the fire so as not to constitute a hazard.(5) All fires and coals are thoroughly extinguished after the use thereof has been completed.(6) No fire shall exceed three feet in diameter or two feet in height.(7) No fire in an approved container (portable fireplace or chiminea) shall be located within 8 feet of a building. No fire in a fire pit shall be located within 25 feet of a building. (8) At least one functioning, portable fire extinguisher with a 4-A rating shall be outside and available for immediate use at all times when the fire is burning, or a functional garden hose attached to a functional water source.(9) No recreational fires are permitted between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (10) No recreational fire shall be permitted when the Fire Chief or his designee has issued an order banning all recreational fires. The Fire Chief may issue an order banning all recreational or special event fires when wind conditions or drought create a significant risk of fire spreading beyond the recreational or special event fire.(11) All recreational fires shall be extinguished when repeated wind gusts in excess of 20 miles per hour are presented or when there is sustained wind in excess of 15 miles per hour.
For further details, refer to section 6.4-17 of the Town of Normal Municipal Code "OPEN BURNING & PERMIT SYSTEM.". Municipal Code - Chapter 6
The engine company is sent to calls where the likelihood of that situation is the greatest. The engine company provides additional manpower and additional help for the paramedics if it is needed at the call. If the engine is not needed, it is returned to service.
Also, our engine companies carry medical equipment on board. Depending on where the call is, the engine may be closer to the call than the responding ambulance. In this case, the engine company acts as the first responder to assess the patient condition and prepare the patient for transport when the ambulance arrives.
Originally, "engine" referred exclusively to "pump", the important tool for getting water to a fire. Today, "fire engines" are those vehicles of the fire department that pump water. The term "truck" is reserved for other types of vehicles, usually having one or more ladders.
Since Fire Engines and Fire Trucks perform significantly different functions at a fire scene, they are very different. Fire engines are equipped with hoses and water so that personnel can aggressively fight the fire. Fire Trucks are like the firefighter's tool box -- carrying ladders, rescue equipment and other tools to enable personnel to support firefighting activities.
Other sources cite the tradition of painting fire engines red going back to the early 1920's. Henry Ford wanted to make cars as inexpensively as possible and only offered cars in one color: black. With all of these black vehicles on the road, the fire service began painting their vehicles red in an effort to stand out.
Today, just as you have many more choices of colors available to you for your vehicle, so do the fire engine manufacturers, and it is not uncommon to see white, yellow, blue, orange, green, or even black fire engines, in addition to red. And while some studies hint that colors such as lime-green may be more visible to the public than traditional red, the vast majority of fire departments continue to use red fire engines -- a color instantly recognized by everyone as that of a fire engine.
Normal Fire Department apparatus and ambulances are painted with a black top over red body. This is a traditional nod to the first closed-cab chief's cars in Chicago. Back then, they had black canvas tops which would not take paint. Someone in administration liked the appearance, so as new closed-cab apparatus came into service, they painted the cab roofs black, and the tradition continues today.
You may also notice the green light on some fire engines. This is also a traditional Chicago-style fire engine feature. Commissioner Albert Goodrich of the Chicago Fire Department (1927 - 1931) had a nautical background. He applied the marine scheme (red light on port, green light on starboard) to fire apparatus, and the idea became a tradition of the Chicago Fire Department. It is also used to mark the bay doors at most Chicago fire stations.
You may also follow our Facebook and Twitter feeds online for the latest department news and information. View the NFD Twitter Feed
The inspectors will notate any violations and will return on a re-inspection to ensure that the violations have been corrected. Learn more...
If you have a smoke alarm with batteries:
Smoke Alarms powered by long-lasting batteries are designed to replace the entire unit according to manufacturer’s instructions. In standard type battery powered smoke alarms, the batteries need to be replaced at least once per year and the whole unit should be replaced every 8-10 years. In hard-wired, battery back up smoke alarms, the batteries need to be checked monthly, and replaced at least once per year. The entire unit should be replaced every 8-10 years.
Town of Normal 100 E. Phoenix Ave.Normal, IL 61761
1. Select "Registration" on the Parks and Rec Home Page and it will take you directly to WebTrac in order to register on-line.
2. Fax-in a registration form to (309) 454-9701.
3. Mail-in a registration form to: Normal Parks and Recreation 611 S. Linden St. Normal, IL 61761
4. Stop by the Parks and Rec office to register or to drop off a registration form. Make checks payable to: Town of Normal. Only Visa or MasterCard will be accepted via WebTrac and Fax-in registrations. **Registration forms and detailed instructions can be found in the on-line Activity Guide. Activity Guide
Persons requesting a statewide criminal history can fill out a form at the Normal Police Department Records Division to be submitted to the State of Illinois. The form must be completed in person and requires a fee. The Illinois State Police website contains more information on statewide criminal history checks.
For additional information, contact Mindy Vaughn in the Police Department Records Division at (309) 454-9528.
The Circuit Clerk's Office is located on the 3rd Floor of the McLean County Law & Justice Center, 104 W. Front St., Bloomington. Hours of operation are 8:30am-4:30pm. For more information, contact the Circuit Clerk's office at (309) 888-5301.
Contact Tamara Clymer at (309) 454-9769 in the Town of Normal Finance Department for more information.
All residents may recycle their sorted recyclables (cardboard, paper and containers made of glass/metal/plastic) at the recycling drop off centers located throughout Town. A list of those locations and a map are available here.
The monthly waste collection fee of $10 offsets the cost of providing weekly waste collection service by about 30%.
For emergencies, after hours and on weekends please call the Utility Department at (309) 454-9560.