Fire Department FAQ's
Call (770) 534-3612, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A copy of the report can be picked up, faxed, or mailed.
If you live inside the city limits of Gainesville, call (770) 534-3612. You will be asked to provide your name, address, phone number, and a description of the items you plan to burn. A representative will then visit your location to issue the permit. Citizens are permitted to burn grass, leaves, and brush (lawn clippings and small tree limbs). Burn permits are issued on a daily basis October 1st thru April 30. There should be an available water source, someone in attendance at all times, and all fires must be out by dark. Pit burns for construction sites require additional measures. If you live outside the city limits, call Hall County Fire Department, (770) 536-2442.
Personnel at any fire station in Gainesville can check your blood pressure free of charge if they are not on another emergency call. Feel free to stop by your neighborhood fire station and let us check it for you.
No, residents may fill their own pools by contacting the City of Gainesville Public Utilities Department, (770) 535-6881, to rent a water meter and fill the pool using a hydrant. Hoses may be rented through local equipment rental vendors. Another suggestion would be to contact a pool company and ask if they have a list of vendors who might be able to provide this service for you.
By law, you are required to pull to the right and stop. This allows fire apparatus to continue response safely and quickly.
Units are dispatched according to information received by Dispatch. Many times the type of situation found upon arrival is very different from the situation dispatched. And, part of responding to an emergency situation means being prepared to deal with the worst case scenario. Discovering that we need more units upon arrival is often too late. Experience has taught us that it’s better to have too much help than not enough.
Sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. When the first unit arrives on scene, they may assess the situation and inform the dispatcher they can handle the emergency. All other responding units are then cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call.
This is called "ventilation." There are two basic reasons for ventilating the roof. Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building making it impossible for firefighters to see. When a hole is made in the roof, smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. This makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft (an explosion of heated gases) and flashover.
Another reason is to see how far the fire has progressed. One of the fastest avenues through which fires spread is the attic. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic and stop the fire from spreading.
Dangerous superheated gases need to be ventilated to allow firefighters to safely and quickly rescue trapped occupants and extinguish the fire. By venting the window of a room that’s on fire, it actually helps to contain the fire to the room of origin. Otherwise heated gases spread throughout the inside of a structure. Breaking a window really prevents more damage than it appears to cause.
Automobile accidents present other hazards such as potential fire, ruptured fuel tanks, and/or the presence of hazardous materials. If any occupants are trapped they will begin the extrication (removal) process. Since most of our firefighters are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s), they can begin assessing an injured party’s condition and assist in providing treatment prior to the arrival of ambulance personnel.
Our firefighters are also trained as EMT's. With our stations in close proximity, we can often arrive prior to the ambulance and begin life saving techniques.
We do have personnel certified to teach CPR and First Aid through National Safety Council. Call (770) 534-3612, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You will be asked to provide a name, contact number, the number of participants and any date preferences. A member of our department will contact you to schedule the class.
Fire extinguisher classes for local businesses are also taught by our personnel. Call (770) 534-3612, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. You will be asked to provide a name, contact number, the number of participants and any date preferences. A member of our department will contact you to schedule the class.
Gainesville Fire Department welcomes the opportunity to have the public visit any of our stations. If your school or civic group would like to schedule a tour, please call (770) 534-3612, Monday thru Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. You will be asked to provide a name, contact number, the number of participants and any date preferences. A member of our department will contact you to schedule the tour. In addition to touring the station and viewing apparatus & equipment, fire personnel can also provide your group with age appropriate fire safety/fire prevention materials.
Unfortunately our stations are not set up to accommodate birthday parties. We can, however, schedule a tour for your group which has been scheduled separately from the party.
Contact the City of Gainesville Human Resources Department, (770) 535-6887. They can advise if applications are being accepted for the position of Firefighter. Applicants must successfully pass a written exam, physical agility test, and participate in a formal interview process. Candidates must then pass a background check, drug screen, and employment physical.
Schedule a tour, drop by for a visit, or sign up for the City of Gainesville Citizens Government Academy by calling 770-297-5499. Our personnel welcome the opportunity to show you who we are and what we’re all about.
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