F.A.Q's

1. Why can’t I burn trash or leaves in the City?
2. Why can’t I have a grill on my apartment balcony?
3. How can I get a free smoke detector?
4. Who do I contact for a fire inspection?
5. Why is a fire truck coming to do my inspections?
6. How can I find out what programs the Fire Department offers?
7. Why does a Kernersville fire truck come to my house for a medical emergency?
8. Can you safely plug a “3-prong” electrical plug into a “2-prong” electrical outlet?
9. What steps are necessary to become a Kernersville Firefighter?
10. Where can I get a copy of a Fire Incident Report?
11. How can I schedule the fire department to participate in my community event?
12. I keep calling the fire station, why am I not getting an answer?
13. Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?
14. Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that doesn’t work?
15. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to a simple incident?
16. How come I see fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?
17. Does the fire department fill swimming pools?

Q. Why can’t I burn trash or leaves in the City?
A. City ordinance section 7-1 prohibits open burning by individuals within the city limits. This is for safety as well as environmental pollution concerns. Limited types of cooking and campfires are allowed with prior approval.

Q. Why can’t I have a grill on my apartment balcony?
A. Grills must not be used within 10 feet from any structure. They can be used on patios of ground floor units if the grill is 10 feet from the structure and the deck has an unobstructed exit to the ground.

Q. How can I get a free smoke detector?
A. Just ask. To request a free smoke alarm, contact fire administration at 336-996-4885 or the Fire Marshal’s office at 336-996-7166.

Q. Who do I contact for a fire inspection?
A. To schedule a fire inspection, contact the Fire Prevention Division at 336-996-4885. Fire Inspectors are usually out of the office from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm; so to speak with someone directly call before or after that time.

Q. Why is a fire truck coming to do my inspections?
A. In order to better serve you, our citizens, our fire suppression companies also conduct Level I fire inspections. This will provide fire suppression companies with first hand knowledge of the layout of your facilities by becoming familiar with the structure and if there are any Fire Code related problems that need to be resolved. This allows us to reach many more of the businesses that you patronize to ensure that they are in compliance with the life and fire safety code.

Q. How can I find out what programs the Fire Department offers?
A. You may visit our Fire Prevention Section page on our Website or call 336-996-4885

Q. Why does a Kernersville fire truck come to my house for a medical emergency?
A. The Town of Kernersville Fire Department provides for the advanced life support as first responders. Firefighters are certified at Emergency Medical Technician Defibrillation (EMT-D) and respond to a variety of medical emergencies within the City. All apparatus are provided with medical supplies and semi-automatic defibrillators to stabilize and resuscitate patients until the arrival of paramedic personnel on the scene helping to protect the Citizens of Kernersville from further harm.

Q. Can you safely plug a “3-prong” electrical plug into a “2-prong” electrical outlet?
A. The two-prong outlet does not have a ground wire in it therefore if you use an adapter and plug in a three-wire cord, then whatever you are using is not grounded. You become the ground if something goes wrong with that appliance meaning that the electrical current will pass through your body rather than the ground wire present on three wire cords and outlets. The National Electrical Code prohibits this activity.

Q. What steps are necessary to become a Kernersville Firefighter?
A. Applications for employment are not accepted unless a specific position is available. However, Employment Interest Cards may be obtained by calling Fire Administration at 336-996-4885 or the Town of Kernersville Human Resources office at 336-992-0306 if you wish to be contacted when a position does become available.

Q. Where can I get a copy of a Fire Incident Report?
A. Call Fire Administration at 336-996-4885. Tell them which incident you need a report for, including your name, date of the incident and address of the incident.

Q. How can I schedule the fire department to participate in my community event?
A. To request the fire department to participate in your community event or to arrange for a tour of our Headquarters’ Station, contact Fire Administration at 336-996-4885 to speak with the Battalion Chief on duty to schedule a date & time.

Q. I keep calling the fire station, why am I not getting an answer?
A. Kernersville Fire Department has four fire stations located throughout the city of Kernersville. Fire Administration is located in the Headquarters Fire Station and is the only station that has office personnel available to answer the phone. They can be reached at 336-996-4885, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, there may be times when no one is available to take your call. You may leave a voice message and calls will be returned as soon as possible. If it is an urgent matter, please hang up and dial 9-1-1.

Q. Where can I go to get my blood pressure checked?
A. Any fire station between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Q. Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that doesn’t work?
A. Look in the Yellow Pages under fire extinguisher or fire extinguishing systems.

Q. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to a simple incident?
A. Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received the by the 9-1-1 operator. The Kernersville Fire Department thinks overcautiously when they respond to citizens in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. We have learned from experience that it’s better to have too much help than not enough.

Q. How come I see fire trucks with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?
A. Sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, assessed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control or that a single unit could handle the emergency. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call.

Q. Does the fire department fill swimming pools?
A. No. Check the Yellow Pages for a listing of companies that provide that service.