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What to Do after the Fire is Out
As your mind is racing about all the things that need to be done after a fire, here are some helpful tips to help make this process easier.
First Step:
After the fire department personnel leave, the building becomes your responsibility. You will need to remove all valuables if you are not able to live in the house. If there is a firefighter or fire investigator on the scene, they will accompany you. You are responsible for securing doors and windows and other areas against unauthorized entry and ensuring that there is no further damage to the structure or contents.
Next Step:
Property Insurance - If you own or are purchasing the property, contact your insurance company and agent as soon as possible. If you are renting or leasing the property, you must also contact the owner. Your insurance agent may be able to assist by providing names of full-service fire/smoke and water restoration companies that specialize in securing homes, inventory and removal of contents, and 24-hour emergency service.
Note: All items in the building should be inventoried and no item should be thrown away without the approval of the insurance company.
Final Step:
The final step is to start the clean-up process. There are several companies that specialize in this type of clean-up. Go on the advice of your insurance company, as there might be problems with your claim if you do not follow their direction.
For detailed information about what to do after the fire, please see the Federal Emergency Management Agency's advice (PDF).
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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!