Village of Whiting Fire & Rescue FAQs
- Is the Fire Department full time or volunteer?
- Neither. The Fire and Rescue Department consists of 30 paid-on-call firefighters. These members do not man the station 24 hours a day, and have careers outside of the fire service. They are alerted to emergency calls by the use of a radio pager system by the County Dispatch Center. However, even though the members are part-time, they do hold the same state and national certifications as do their full time counterparts.
- What do I do if I have a fire?
- First, get everyone out of the building. Then use a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone to call 911. Never try to fight the fire yourself or go back into a burning building. Call 911 early to get the Fire Department to your home or business quickly – never delay. When in doubt, call 911.
- How do I get in touch with someone at the Fire Department?
- If it is an emergency, call 911. However, for all other routine business, you can contact us by phone at (715) 341-9620, by email at whitingfd@charter.net, or by U.S. mail at 3600 Water Street Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481. If it is urgent that you contact someone, but it is not an emergency, you can also contact the Dispatch Center at (715) 346-1400.
- Should I have a fire extinguisher in my home?
- Yes, but only if you are willing to follow these rules. First, call 911. The delay in calling for the Fire Department to respond may make the difference in saving your life or property. Second, understand that fire extinguishers in a home should never be used to fight large or spreading fires. No fire extinguisher should be used on any fire that is larger than a waste basket in size. Many times the improper use of an extinguisher makes the fire worse and spreads fire into places where it would not normally go. You must choose the right type, size, and class of extinguisher for your home, and you need to be properly trained and experienced in using one. Feel free to contact the Fire Department for more information.
- What if my carbon monoxide detector is going off?
- If people in the house are feeling ill, get out of the building into fresh air and call 911 immediately. If there are no signs of illness, call the Dispatch center at 346-1400, and request to have the Fire Department sent to the home. We will use our metering equipment to try and determine the level of carbon monoxide and its source. Do not open any doors or windows in an attempt to ventilate the house – as that will make it harder to find the source. There is no charge for this service.
- Does the Fire Department charge me if you come to my property for a fire?
- Absolutely not. The Fire Department will never charge a property owner for responding to a report of a fire or to a fire alarm. We would never do anything that would make a person think twice about calling for help, and thereby delay our response – putting lives and property at risk.
- Can I burn outside within the Village limits?
- Yes and No. Permitted burning includes only warming and cooking fires that are constantly attended, include no more than a 36 inch diameter fire ring using clean wood only, completely on private property, and does not cause a fire hazard or nuisance to other persons. All other outdoor fires are strictly prohibited, including the burning of brush, leaves, trash, and the use of burn barrels or incinerators. Please contact the Fire Department or Village Clerk for more details.
- Does the Fire Department conduct courtesy home fire inspections?
- Yes. The Department’s fire inspectors have the responsibility of conducting fire and safety inspections in all commercial establishments and apartment buildings. The inspectors will also come to any residential home in the Village and conduct a courtesy inspection in order to help identify hazards and provide suggestions for improvement. There is no charge for this service.
- What do I do when an emergency vehicle is approaching?
- Just remember to “Pull to the Right for Sirens and Lights.” By law, the driver of a vehicle is required to pull to the RIGHT and STOP immediately upon seeing an emergency vehicle approaching with its lights and/or siren on. This includes traffic moving in either direction. Remember, you must yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle, never follow closer than 500 feet behind one, not park in the same block that a fire truck has pulled up to at a scene, and never drive over any fire hose. If you don’t follow the law, you may delay the response to an emergency or cause a crash.
- What is the "Move Over Law?”
- Drivers must provide a safety zone for stopped fire apparatus, law enforcement, other emergency responders, and maintenance vehicles. To help safeguard personnel who work on the side of highways, Wisconsin has a "Move Over Law." The law requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a "safety zone" for a fire truck, squad car, ambulance, tow truck, or highway maintenance vehicle that is stopped on the side of a road with its warning lights flashing. Drivers have two options for creating a safety zone: if the road has more than one directional lane, like the Interstate, and you can switch lanes safely, you must move over to vacate the lane closest to the vehicle with its lights flashing. If you can't safely move over, you must reduce your speed. Failure of motorists to move over is one of the reasons that motor vehicle crashes kill more law enforcement officers on duty than any other cause.