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Fire Department
From an all-volunteer force that once hauled equipment in hand-drawn buggies to today's modern department, the focus of Clayton firefighters has always been the same: protect lives and property. We have a proud history and yet are always keeping up-to-date with the latest in lifesaving training, technology, public education and prevention. We hope you don't ever need us, but if you do, we are prepared!
Vision
Dedicated to being a model organization serving an ever-changing community through continuous improvement.
Mission
Providing Prompt Professional Services with Pride. Everyone Goes Home.
Values
- Collaboration: Teamwork, Continue to build partnerships and provide quality customer service (internally and externally), Ownership
- Commitment: Honor the profession, Maintain a positive attitude, Work Hard
- Compassion: Treat others with dignity and respect, Help in any way, Family
- Competence: Knowledge, Readiness, Training, Flexibility
- Courage: Integrity, Facing Fears, Accountability
The Clayton Fire Department (CFD) is responsible for protecting the life and property of the citizens that live, work, and/or visit the Town of Clayton and/or the Claytex Fire districts. We also provide services to other areas through mutual aid agreements and special requests.
About
The Clayton Fire Department is a paid department that responds to approximately 2,500 plus incidents annually, out of 2 stations, covering 50 plus square miles in the north-western part of Johnston County. The population in the service areas (Clayton and Claytex districts) is 50,000 or more and growing! The Clayton district is the "Town Limits" of Clayton, which is a mixed urban/sub-urban area. The Claytex district, a mixed sub-urban/rural area, consists of the unincorporated areas surrounding town limits, which Clayton Fire Department is contracted with Johnston County to provide services for. CFD is also a non-transport, EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) department, approved through the Johnston County Emergency Services Medical Director. Personnel are intensively trained to respond to a variety of emergencies including structure fires, medical incidents, alarms, hazardous materials, motor vehicle accidents, and various specialty rescues.
Apparatus / Equipment
CFD responds to incidents with a cache of apparatus that carries a variety of equipment required per the NC Response Rating System, NC Association of Rescue and EMS, and for operational purposes. Apparatus includes:
- 5 Engines (1 which serves as a Reserve)
- 1 Ladder Truck
- 1 Heavy Rescue
- 1 Battalion Chief vehicle
- 1 Brush Truck
- 1 Water Rescue vehicle
- 1 Trench/Collapse Response Trailer
- 2 Boats (1 motor-powered and 1 raft), and ATVs for Wildland and Special Operations/Technical Rescue use
The apparatus is strategically placed at each station and incident responses are conducted in a specific order for operations and safety of personnel.
CFD Special Operations
Our Special Operations consists of a variety of technical rescue disciplines at the Technician level. Training for these technical rescue disciplines began in 1998 and CFD became self-sufficient with equipment and instructors in 2001. The various disciplines include vehicle and machinery extrication, confined space rescue/recovery, high and low angle/rope rescue/recovery, trench and collapse rescue/recovery, and water rescue/recovery. CFD has over 30 personnel who are Technicians and/or instructors, and all other personnel are required to maintain an awareness level of each discipline. CFD is credentialed through the NC Association of Rescue and EMS as a Heavy Rescue provider and the above technical rescue specialties.
Insurance Grade:
Each fire department that serves a population of less than 100,000 residents is "graded" by the NC Department of Insurance/Fire Marshals Office. This grading process consists of a variety of topics, including available apparatus, equipment, staffing, record keeping, and training, and directly affects your homeowner's insurance rate. Currently, CFD has a split rating of 2/2/9. If you live in the city limits of Clayton, your rating is a 2; if you live outside the city limits, in Claytex Fire District and within 5 miles of a fire station, your rating is a 2. If you live in the Claytex Fire District but more than 5 miles from a fire station, your rating is a 9.
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Fire Department
Physical Address
325 W Horne Street
Clayton, NC 27520
Phone: 919-553-1520Emergency Phone: 911
- Why do fire trucks sometimes travel with their lights and siren on, and then all of a sudden turn them off?
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When a call for service is dispatched, CFD responds with specific apparatus and manpower, depending upon the type of call. When a CFD representative (Chief Officer, first-in Engine, etc) arrives and conducts a "size-up", additional resources may be canceled from the call or told to reduce their response to a routine response.
- My fire alarm went off and I contacted my alarm company and told them everything was OK and not to send the Fire Department and they still showed up, why?
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When a fire alarm company contacts our dispatch center (Johnston County E-911 Communications) and they dispatch us, we have to respond to the incident for insurance purposes. Sometimes, the dispatcher will inform us that the alarm company has requested to cancel, and at that time the Officer in-charge will inform the additional responding apparatus to cancel and the closest unit will respond to the incident. When we arrive we check for things such as:
- Ensure the alarm system functioned correctly
- Ensure a fire that has been extinguished has not spread to an adjacent area
- Ensure no malicious acts are being done (starting a fire and then telling the alarm company to cancel the fire department)
- Ensure the area doesn't need to be ventilated
- Depending upon damage (even from small fires), insurance companies sometimes require a fire report
- Answer any questions the homeowner/resident/business owner has.
- Can I be fined for false fire alarms? What constitutes a false alarm?
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Yes. For Town of Clayton residents, there is an alarm ordinance. A false alarm is an alarm in which the system malfunctions for no apparent reason, or where a system is activated (manual pull station) when there is no fire. A fire alarm that goes off for accidental reasons such as burnt food is not considered a false alarm (the system is doing what it's designed to do) but repeat offenses may result in suggestions and/or recommendations from the Fire Marshal.
If you have a question you don't see in the FAQs, feel free to contact Clayton Fire Department at 919-553-1520, or you can "Like" us on Facebook and ask us there!