Email: Bhennig@bclpsi.net with any questions.                                                          

The Bergen County Fire Marshal is responsible for the State Fire Code enforcement of all Bergen County owned buildings, facilities, & parks.                     

The Fire Marshal interacts not only with the fire departments and fire prevention bureaus of these towns, but also all 69 fire departments and 69 fire prevention bureaus in Bergen County. He is responsible for granting fire safety permits and conducting fire inspections at all fireworks displays, festivals and special events at all County parks. The Fire Marshal networks with the Bergen County Fire Academy, Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, & Bergen County Office of Emergency Management on matters of fire training, fire safety, and arson and homeland security. The Fire Marshal is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all fires and emergencies at all County facilities and parks. When requested by local fire chiefs, the Fire Marshal responds to all large fires and emergencies in Bergen County as a County Fire Coordinator on the fire scene.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Install smoke alarms on every level of your house, including the basement & all sleeping areas.

Most smoke alarms need to be replaced every 8-10 years, even the hard-wired type with battery backup. Noting the purchase date on the alarm helps to know when to replace them.

Test ALL smoke alarms once a month. Hard-wired smoke alarms with battery backup and smoke alarms with a 10 year lithium ion battery also need to be tested monthly.

The batteries in smoke alarms should be changed twice a year. Once in spring and again in the fall. A simple way to remember this is when you change your clock for daylights savings, change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

If smoke alarm starts to “chirp” this indicates the batteries are low. Promptly replace the batteries and reset the alarm.

If Smoke alarm goes off while your cooking – DO NOT DISABLE IT! Some smoke alarms have a “hush” button, if not, wave a towel near the alarm to clear the air.

Make sure all household members know the sound of the smoke alarm. If children are not awakened by the sound, establish a plan for waking them in case of fire.

Plan & Practice a fire escape plan with your entire family. Practice staying low and crawling to safety.

Carbon monoxide is a SILENT KILLER.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, gas that comes from burning fossil fuels. Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood, causing the body to poison itself by cutting off oxygen that is needed by organs and cells.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). It is estimated that more than 400 people die annually due to accidental carbon monoxide exposure.

Carbon monoxide detectors are NOT smoke alarms.

Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home, near sleeping areas. Make sure everyone in the household knows the alarm sound. If children are not awakened by the sound, establish a plan for waking them in case of fire.

Test your carbon monoxide detector once a month. Replace them every 7 years or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are; dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, fainting, & flu like symptoms

If symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are present, everyone should exit the home and leave the doors open as you go. GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP! Use a neighbor’s telephone to report the alarm and follow the instructions you are given.

If no symptoms of carbon monoxide are present, open windows and doors, shut down heating and cooking equipment. Call a qualified technician to inspect and service your equipment.

PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN WITH YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!

REMEMBER TO STAY LOW AND CRAWL TO SAFETY!