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Fauquier County Department of Fire and Rescue
62 Culpeper Street
Warrenton, VA 20186
Main Office (540) 422-8800
www.fauquierfirerescue.org Press Release
Warrenton, VA – August 29, 2018 - According to the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office, Virginia has experienced 47 fire fatalities so far in 2018; compared to 40 in 2017 and 43 in 2016 during the same time period. Fire-related deaths and injuries are highest in homes without smoke detectors.
While the State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to analyze the data, the preliminary results indicate that most fatal fires in Virginia were caused by human factors. Careless smoking and improperly discarded smoking materials remain the leading cause of fatal fires in Virginia for 2018. Other identified causes include portable heating equipment, unattended cooking and electrical issues. The median age of the victims is 70 years old. Many of the victims had mobility issues that prevent timely evacuation from the residence.
“Of course, the best way to fight fires is to prevent them from ever starting,” said Chief Darren Stevens, Fauquier County Department of Fire Rescue. “Together we can prevent unnecessary loss of life and property due to fire by having working smoke alarms, conducting home exit drills and practicing fire prevention habits each day.” Fauquier County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association President Tom Marable added, “If we can reduce the number of fires, we also reduce the frequency of times that we must put our crews in dangerous environments, these actions benefits both citizens and responders alike.”
Fires in homes today burn hotter and faster due to synthetic furnishings and lightweight construction materials. As a result, occupants have a much smaller window of time to exit safely. You have as little as two minutes from the time the smoke alarm sounds before the smoke spreads throughout the home. Smoke inhalation is the cause of most fire deaths, not burns.
In preparation for Fire Prevention Week (October 7-13) every fire station in Fauquier County and the Fauquier County Fire Marshal’s Office, will be implementing a smoke alarm installation program. Citizens that do not currently have working smoke detectors can email smokealarm@fauquiercounty.gov or call 540-422-8800 to request smoke alarms for their home. Fire and Rescue station personnel will coordinate with the homeowner and install the smoke alarms or replace batteries in existing operational smoke alarms. Alarms for deaf and hard of hearing are also available.
But how do I know if my smoke alarms work or not?
Pick a date and test your smoke alarms monthly using the test button.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to keep smoke alarms working.
- If the smoke alarm chirps, replace the battery immediately.
- Change clocks, change batteries! Change the batteries when changing clocks in the spring and fall each year.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
If you have any questions please contact Captain Russell Baker, Fire Marshal, at (540) 422-8800.
Fill out the form at the link below to request smoke alarms for your home.
https://arcg.is/0GSzyy
 
Fauquier Alert Network
Get alerted about emergencies and weather emergencies by signing up for the Fauquier Alert Network. This system enables us to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods.
You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, mobile or business phones, email address, text messages and more. You pick where, you pick how.
Please note the caller ID will say Fauquier County and/or 540/422-8830. For assistance or with questions please call (540) 422-8800 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085611352#/login
Fauquier County Burn Laws
APPLICATION FOR FIRE PREVENTION CODE PERMITS/INSPECTION*
(Open Air Burning, Blasting, Daycare, Storage of Explosives/Fireworks)
Blasting Requirements
Fireworks Application
*Signature is required. You MUST print out, fill, sign, and return to Fire Marshal.
Beginning March 1, 2018, Rapid Entry System Lock Boxes by Kidde will be available to purchase online at Lockbox.ShopKidde.com. The Rapid Entry System Lockboxes will no longer be available for purchase using an order form by phone, fax or standard mail. Kidde has moved to the online ordering method in order to be fully compliant with industry security and privacy protocols for the protection of customer information, and to provide faster secure order processing.
Please visit Lockbox.ShopKidde.com. After setting up an account on the website, you search “Find Your Fire Department” and enter “Fauquier”. Select our department “Fauquier Co Fire Rescue ES” and hit submit. From there you will be able to make your product selection, and then checkout. The box will be shipped directly to you for you to install wherever you would like.
Once it’s set, contact us and we will come out to lock it. The only people who have access are Fire and Police, and will only be used in an Emergency.
If you have any questions please call 540-422-8800.
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