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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Q: How many smoke alarms should I have in my home and where should they be located?
A: We recommend a minimum of at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom, one in the hallway in front of each bedroom and at the top of any stairway.
Q: What type of fire extinguishers is recommended for a home?
A: We recommend a minimum of one 5-pound ABC extinguisher. The extinguisher shall be located in a readily accessible area.
Q: Should I have a “Fire Escape Plan” for my family?
A: Yes. The plan should include 2 ways out of every room and every floor. It’s important to have a meeting place for family members and practice the drill monthly, or more frequently if children live in the home.
Q: Who should I call if my CO Alarm is sounding?
A: If you or anyone in the structure is feeling ill, contact 9-1-1 and exit the structure immediately.
If nobody is feeling ill but the alarm continues to sound contact the Fire Department and we will respond and check the structure with a gas meter to ensure the air quality is safe.
Q: Why would a fire engine respond to medical emergencies?
A: Bensalem Fire Township Rescue is licensed with the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a Quick Response Service (QRS). Our Firefighters are medically trained (most being EMT’s) and the apparatus is equipped with medical equipment. Bensalem Fire Rescue works very closely with Bensalem EMS and will assist them on certain medical incidents or provide basic life support (BLS) medical care until the arrival of EMS.
Q: How can I get a copy of a Fire Incident Report or Fire Investigation Report?
A: Contact our main office at 215-633-3617 and complete the Fire Report Form, which is located on the “Forms and Download” section of the website. All request forms shall be submitted to the Department Secretary Stephanie Schilling sschilling@benslaempa.gov or via fax at 215-633-3662.
Q: How do I report a possible fire code violation or unsafe condition?
A: Contact our office to report the code violation or unsafe situation. A Firefighter/Inspector will be assigned the complaint, investigate the possible code violation and issue corrective notices if applicable.
Q: Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in a roof during a fire?
A: Firefighters ventilate smoke and superheated gases for safety and visibility. This lets firefighters get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduces the chance of a backdraft explosion.
A: We recommend a minimum of at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including one in every bedroom, one in the hallway in front of each bedroom and at the top of any stairway.
Q: What type of fire extinguishers is recommended for a home?
A: We recommend a minimum of one 5-pound ABC extinguisher. The extinguisher shall be located in a readily accessible area.
Q: Should I have a “Fire Escape Plan” for my family?
A: Yes. The plan should include 2 ways out of every room and every floor. It’s important to have a meeting place for family members and practice the drill monthly, or more frequently if children live in the home.
Q: Who should I call if my CO Alarm is sounding?
A: If you or anyone in the structure is feeling ill, contact 9-1-1 and exit the structure immediately.
If nobody is feeling ill but the alarm continues to sound contact the Fire Department and we will respond and check the structure with a gas meter to ensure the air quality is safe.
Q: Why would a fire engine respond to medical emergencies?
A: Bensalem Fire Township Rescue is licensed with the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a Quick Response Service (QRS). Our Firefighters are medically trained (most being EMT’s) and the apparatus is equipped with medical equipment. Bensalem Fire Rescue works very closely with Bensalem EMS and will assist them on certain medical incidents or provide basic life support (BLS) medical care until the arrival of EMS.
Q: How can I get a copy of a Fire Incident Report or Fire Investigation Report?
A: Contact our main office at 215-633-3617 and complete the Fire Report Form, which is located on the “Forms and Download” section of the website. All request forms shall be submitted to the Department Secretary Stephanie Schilling sschilling@benslaempa.gov or via fax at 215-633-3662.
Q: How do I report a possible fire code violation or unsafe condition?
A: Contact our office to report the code violation or unsafe situation. A Firefighter/Inspector will be assigned the complaint, investigate the possible code violation and issue corrective notices if applicable.
Q: Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in a roof during a fire?
A: Firefighters ventilate smoke and superheated gases for safety and visibility. This lets firefighters get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduces the chance of a backdraft explosion.
