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Sturgis Fire Deparment: Frequently Asked
Questions
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Can I burn trash, or brush, in the city?
Residents can burn household trash from 7:00 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Monday through Saturday, no burning is allowed on Sunday. Household
trash consists of ordinary paper or cardboard, and does not
include any type of plastic, diapers, food or animal waste.
Burning must be in an approved container (metal barrel, etc.)
which should be located at least 15 feet from any structure
or wooden fence. We recommend residents burn when there is a
slight wind and not allowed to blow into a neighbor's home.
If the smoke causes a neighborhood disturbance, we can ask the
fire be extinguished. As for brush, there is absolutely no burning
of brush, grass or leaves in the city. Sturgis maintains a compost
site on Fawn River Road, which we recommend all residents take
advantage of.
Can I have a camp fire or bonfire in my back
yard?
A campfire or a recreational fire is described as "an outdoor
fire utilized to cook food for human consumption". This is the
most popular fire for hanging out in the back yard. These fires
do not require a permit or have a limitation as to hours of
operation. We ask citizens to use common sense when utilizing
a recreational fire. Keep it small, attended and in a ring on
the ground or appropriate container away from houses, garages
or wooden fences. A bonfire is described as "an outdoor fire
used for ceremonial purposes". If you anticipate having a bonfire
please call the department for guidelines.
General Guidelines for Burning:
Always use caution when burning.
Any type of fire should be continuously attended, do not go
in the house or walk away from a burning, or even a smoldering
fire. Keep children and animals away. Have a hose or bucket
of water immediately available to extinguish the fire, and ensure
the fire is completely out before leaving or retiring for the
night. Trash fires and recreational fires have caused numerous
neighborhood conflicts over the years. Please be considerate
of your neighbors especially the elderly, neighbors with health
conditions, when windows are open in the summer or when you
see clothes drying on a line. The fire department reserves the
right to ask you to extinguish any type of fire if it causes
a nuisance in the neighborhood. If you have any questions concerning
the ordinance, or to issue a complaint, please call the department
at 659-7272.
What number do I call in case of an emergency?
All of St. Joseph County uses 9-1-1
for emergencies including fire, police and ambulance. If you
call the department at 269-659-7257 and no one answers, you
may call the St. Joseph County non-emergency number of 269-467-4195
and they will contact us.
Will the fire department get my cat out of a tree?
The Fire Department will evaluate each situation, but usually
will not bring a truck to rescue animals. We suggest placing
food on the ground underneath the tree (tuna works well) and
when the cat gets hungry enough, it will come down. For other
animal-related incidents, we suggest contacting Sturgis Police
Department's Animal Control Officer at 467-4195 and describe
your problem.
Will the Fire Department check a child's car seat?
If you bring your vehicle and car seat to the Sturgis Police/Fire
Station there are trained staff from either department that
will check the installation and safety of your child's car seat.
What types of classes are available from the
fire department?
Sturgis Fire personnel are available upon request to teach CPR,
First Aid or the proper use of fire extinguishers. Cost, for
most classes, will be for materials only. If you would like
to schedule a class please contact the department at 659-7257.
How do I schedule a tour of the fire station?
Tours of the station can be scheduled by contacting the department
at 659-7257.
Does the fire department give away, or install
smoke detectors?
Sturgis fire department personnel will install smoke detectors
for residents that need assistance. Sturgis Fire Department
also has a free smoke detector program for city residents. Qualified
residents can receive a free detector. To request assistance
or see if you qualify for a free detector, please phone the
department at 659-7257.
Can I get my blood pressure checked at the
department?
If you stop by the department, and they are not on a call, any
one of our fire fighters will be happy to check your blood pressure.
How do I get a copy of a report?
If you need a copy of a fire report for your insurance company,
one may be obtained at the station for a small fee. We cannot
release a report of a fire, or other incident, that is under
investigation.
If you have any other questions concerning the fire department
please contact us at 659.7257, or stop by the station.
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