Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Brochure
Medical Emergencies
For medical emergencies, the City's Fire Department has two advanced cardiac life support rescue vehicles (ambulances) staffed by paramedics who operate under the medical control of University Hospital Bedford Medical Center in the nearby Bedford.
Bedford Heights is also served by Metro Life Flight, a helicopter medical emergency service operated by the Cuyahoga County government's Metrohealth Medical Center and Medovac of University Hospitals. This hospital features a state-of-the-art Level 1 adult and pediatric regional trauma center, the largest such facility in the State of Ohio.
In cases of extreme medical emergency, our firefighters can call for helicopter transportation to the Special Care Facilities Trauma Center. Helicopters are staffed by pilots, doctors, nurses and / or paramedics.
REMEMBER, ALWAYS DIAL 911 FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES.
The City of Bedford Heights transports to UHHS Bedford Medical Center, Marymount Hospital, South Pointe Hospital, Hillcrest Hospital and Solon Medical Campus.
Blood Pressure Checks
The Fire Department will provide free blood pressure checks at the fire station between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., provided they are not out on an emergency call. Approach the department from the street side of building. There is a call buzzer on the left side of the 1st north garage door, to alert department personnel you wish to enter.
Community Outreach
Our Fire Prevention Bureau offers a variety of services to the community, including annual fire-safety inspections of about 600 businesses. We also inspect schools, foster homes, and apartments for fire safety and other related potential hazards.
Because of privacy considerations, private homes are not included in the department's annual inspections.
Business Services
- Inspections include examination of fire-suppression equipment at restaurants and witnessing tests of sprinkler systems and fire pumps.
- Other fire-prevention checks include examination of exit signs, fire alarms, and fire extinguishers.
- The fire department offers a lock-box program for businesses to help avoid breaking windows and doors either while investigating fire alarms or while fighting fires.
- Fire extinguisher classes are hosted for businesses on site upon arrangement with the Fire Department. Call 440-786-3250.
Fire Safety House
The Fire Department operates a fire-safety house to help teach children and adults how to escape safely from a burning building.
For further information about our fire-prevention services, please call the Fire Department at (440-439-1214).
Smoke Detectors
Each year the Fire Department has a limited amount of free smoke detectors to distribute on a first-come, first-served basis, upon proof of residency.
Carbon Monoxide Education
The Fire Department has a quantity of brochures and equipment to educate the public about the perils of carbon monoxide. Any gas-burning appliance is a potential source of carbon monoxide. If you have a concern on carbon monoxide levels at your home, contact the Fire Department at 440-786-3214.
Recycle Cans to Assist Burn Victims
Within their membership in the Northern Ohio Firefighters Association, the Bedford Heights Fire Department assists ACBC (Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Foundation, Inc.) ACBC is a non-profit aluminum beverage can recycling program founded by the Northern Ohio Firefighters and the Northeast Ohio Fire Chiefs Association. The program is sponsored by Metrohealth Medical Health Center of Cleveland, schools, businesses, residents and Fire Departments throughout Northeast Ohio.
90% of the ACBC Foundation's income comes from recycled aluminum cans.
ACBC's program includes:
- Fire Safety Houses
- Camp Phoenix Summer and Winter camps
- Scholarship programs
ACBC also provides rehabilitation, clothing, toys, games, computer and video equipment and other items not covered by insurance.
Residents who would like to assist by donating empty, clean aluminum cans can bring them to the station to give to fire personnel or directly deposit them at the collection post, located on the side of the fire station as you enter the driveway at the municipal parking lot behind City Hall.
Equipment
Bedford Heights has a modern professional Fire Department under the direction of Chief Ken Ledford and Assistant Chief Tom Spape.
The City Fire Department is equipped with engines and other tools for handling a variety of fire, medical, rescue and other emergencies.
- We have two fire engines fitted with 1,500 and 1,250 gallon-per-minute (GPM) water pumps, respectively.
- We have one ladder truck with a 100-foot tower and a 1,250 (GPM) water pump.
- We have two advanced cardiac life support rescue squads (ambulances) for medical emergencies.
- The department is also equipped with extrication tools for heavy rescue and with fire-fighting foam for flammable liquid fires.
- Our 500+ hydrants are checked and maintained regularly. If you see a hydrant that you believe is leaking or otherwise not functional call and report it to fire dispatch at 440.786.3232 or Assistant Chief Tom Spape at 440.786.3250.
- The City has the ability to do carbon monoxide testing in homes in the prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Bedford Heights has a Thermal Imaging Camera to assist in finding victims obscured by smoke, the dark or other confined spaces.
- Recent initiatives enabled the City to update the turn-out gear (firemen's protective clothing) for the department's needs.
Fire Levy Fund - Accounts for three (3) mills for each one dollar of assessed valuation for the purpose of operating, equipping and housing the City's own Division of Fire. The current levy is as was originally posted in 1961.
Explorer Scouts
Bedford Heights Fire Department is home to Fire Service Explorer Post #200, which offers a program for teens and young adults, age 15-20, to learn about firefighting and paramedic work as a profession.
The program includes field trips and the opportunity to earn certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and in first aid.
Young people enrolled in the course learn firsthand from professionals about the equipment, skills, and techniques used by firefighters and paramedics.
Qualified Explorer Post members are permitted to ride along as observers on actual fire and emergency-medical calls. After certain participation requirements have been met, an Explorer may earn a credit point on the City's Civil Service Examination for Firefighter-Paramedic.
For information about enrolling in our Explorer program, please call (440) 439-1214.
Fire Prevention
- The Fire Department provides fire-fighting, rescue and emergency medical service to our community 24 hours a day.
- The City is fully protected by fire hydrants and has an Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating
of 5. - Our 29-member department is led by two chief officers, three captains, and three lieutenants and is headquarted on Perkins Road adjacent to City Hall.
- Individual firefighters are certified in one or more professional skills. These certifications include 24 paramedics, three emergency medical technicians, six fire instructors, one paramedic instructor, and about 10 CPR instructors.
- The City is a member of the Chagrin/Southeast Hazardous Materials Response Team and can mobilize the team at any time to assist in emergencies involving hazardous materials.
- Bedford Heights also participates in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm (MABAS) system and can call on surrounding communities for firefighting help.
- Training plays a crucial role in the day-to-day operation of the Fire Department. Techniques such as live fire training, continuing education classes, practice drills and watching training videos keeps the firefighters updated in order to perform their jobs most efficiently.
HOME FIRE PREVENTION TIPS
- Assure electrical cords are not pierced or cracked. Do not run across floor or pinch under or behind furniture.
- Keep exits, storage areas and stairways free of waste paper, empty boxes, stained rags, household cleaners and other fire hazards.
- Replace any electrical cords that have cracked insulation. Do not overload outlets or ignore posted safety warnings.
- Leave space for air to circulate around appliances and heaters. Shut off coffemakers, etc. when you leave the room.
Safe Home Tips
1. Don't leave stove unattended.
Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. Always have a lid in case of fire. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires-the majority of stovetop fires happen because of unattended cooking.
2. Give space heaters space.
Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn. Heating is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months of December, January and February.
3. Be cautious when smoking.
Use large, non-tip ashtrays, and soak butts and ashes before dumping them into a wastebasket. Never smoke in bed or when sleepy, intoxicated, or on medication that makes you sleepy. Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths and the third leading cause of home fire injuries.
4. Keep matches and lighters out of reach.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach and sight of children - up high in a locked cabinet. Children under age six are the most likely to start fires while playing with matches and lighters.
5. Inspect electrical cords.
Inspect electrical cords to make sure they are not pinched behind furniture, under rugs, or stretched. Replace cords that are cracked, frayed, have broken plugs, or loose connections. Electrical distribution equipment is the fourth leading cause of home fires and deaths and the fifth leading cause of home fire deaths.
6. Be vigilant when using candles.
Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn and put them out when you leave the room or go to sleep. Over the past decade, the number of candle fires has almost tripled.
7. Have a home fire escape plan.
Make a home escape plan and practice your plan at least twice a year so everyone knows what to do in a fire emergency.
8. Install smoke alarms.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas. Make sure everyone knows the sound of the alarm. If you sleep with bedroom doors closed, install interconnected alarms in the bedrooms so that when one sounds, they all sound.
9. Test smoke alarms.
Test alarms once a month and replace their batteries once a year, or when an alarm "chirps" to tell you battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. Replace smoke alarms that use long-life (10 year) batteries when the alarm chirps or fails to respond to periodic testing. The batteries in these units cannot be replaced.
10. Crawl under smoke
If you must escape through smoke, crawl low on your hands and knees to your exit, keeping your head one to two feet above the floor where the air is cleaner.
Public safety information filed by the National Fire Protection Agency. For more information access http://www.nfpa.org.
Safe Grilling
It is against the law in Bedford Heights to use a gas or charcoal grill inside apartments, on apartment balconies, or within 15 feet of any structure housing more than one family. Violators can be cited by the City Fire Department and fined up to $1,000.
- Charcoal grills should never be used indoors or in any enclosed area. Burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide gas that can injure or kill bystanders in areas that are not properly vented.
- Propane gas grills should always be used outdoors and should be operated and stored in accordance with the manufacturer's safety instructions.
- Gasoline should never be used to start a charcoal grill. Gasoline is an explosive liquid that can cause serious injuries or death if ignited.
- Parents should always take care to keep their children away from grills, or from any other cooking equipment that can cause burn injuries.
- Charcoal lighter fluid should be kept out of the reach of children and should always be used and stored according to the manufacturer's safety instructions.
- The main valve of propane tanks should be shut off in between uses.
