MFD's Frequently Asked Questions

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1) How do I obtain a Burn Permit?
You must contact the Morristown Fire Department (MFD) Fire Marshal at 423-585-4657, between 8 AM and 2 PM (Monday through Friday) on the day you would like to burn to find out if the Fire Marshal is allowing open burning at that time. The Fire Marshal decides on a daily basis whether or not it is a burn day according to weather, atmospheric conditions, etc. You will be asked for your contact information and where you will be burning so the site can be inspected prior to approval. If you are in Hamblen County, you must contact the State of Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry at 423-586-2497.

2) How much does a burn permit cost?
Nothing. Burn Permits are offered free of charge.

3) How do I set up a tour of a fire station?
MFD has six fire stations. You may schedule a tour for your group by calling 423-585-4651 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday.

4) How do I schedule an engine company for an event?
You may schedule an engine company for your event by calling 423-585-4651 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday.

5) How can I register for free smoke alarms in the MFD's smoke alarm program?
Contact the Fire Department at 423-585-4657 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday to see if you are eligible.

6) How do I apply for a position with the Morristown Fire Department?
Applications can be obtained from the Human Resources Department at City Center located at 100 W. First N. Street.

7) Can you fill my swimming pool?
MFD cannot provide this service at this time.

8) How do I report a damaged fire hydrant?
Call MFD Headquarters at 423-585-4651 to report a damaged hydrant.

9) Why did a fire truck come when I called for an ambulance?
"Every Morristown firefighter is cross-trained as an Emergency Medical Responder. The fire department's ability to ""get there fast"" is used for emergency medical response, such as heart attacks, strokes and trauma. Life saving techniques including CPR and defibrillation helps to prevent death or permanent injury. These life saving techniques are much more effective since firefighters can get to a patient within the first four minutes.."

10) What is a Pre-Fire Plan?
It is a site evaluation conducted by engine companies in preparation for an emergency response. It is not a fire inspection.

11) What should I do if I smell gas in my home?
You will need to get out of the house and then call 9-1-1 for the Fire Department from outside of the house or from a neighbor's house. The use of a phone could cause the gas to ignite if you called from inside the house.

12) What should I do when I see or hear an emergency vehicle coming towards me when I'm driving?
When it is safe to do so, you should pull over to the right and stop until all emergency vehicles have safely passed. If you cannot safely maneuver to the right, simply stop and stay stopped so the vehicles can go around you safely.

13) How often should I change the batteries in my smoke alarms?
We recommend you change the batteries in your smoke alarms every 6 months, an easy way to remember is to change batteries when you reset your clock for daylight savings time.

14) My smoke alarm is chirping, what does that mean?
Most modern smoke alarms will chirp to alert you the batteries are low, you should replace the batteries and test your smoke alarm. Smoke alarms can be purchased at any hardware or large commercial home improvement store.

15) How do I sign up for a CPR class?
You may sign up for a CPR class by contacting the Training Officer at 423-585-4651 between 8 AM and 4 PM Monday through Friday.

16) How do I obtain a copy of my fire incident report?
Come to MFD Headquarters at 625 S. Jackson Street and fill out the request form.

17) Can you get my cat out of a tree?
No. Try opening a can of tuna and waiting for the cat to get down on its own.

18) Why do I see fire trucks with lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down?
Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go lights and siren through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on.