pin-icon5661 Perkins Road, Bedford Heights OH 44146
time-icon City Hall  Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm

Fire

KEN LEDFORD, FIRE CHIEF - (440) 786-3251

Cuyahoga County of Emergency Management

History

In July of 1962, Ordinance #62-73 under the direction of Mayor Robert E. Willeford established a full-time Division of Fire under the Department of Public Safety.   On January 1, 1963, the Division of Fire began serving the residents of Bedford Heights.

Services

The Division of Fire, which is led by Chief Kenneth Ledford, provides fire suppression, rescue and emergency medical services (EMS) to the residents and businesses of Bedford Heights. These services are extended to our neighboring communities on an as needed basis via mutual aid agreements. The division of fire has modern firefighting equipment and provides two fully functioning advanced life support (ALS) ambulances equipped with the latest equipment, technology, and up to date protocols. All personnel have the ability to contact Metro Life Flight or University Hospitals Air Ambulance Services if the condition of a patient is critical. Our paramedics have the ability to transport to the following hospitals: Ahuja Medical Center, Bedford Medical Center, Hillcrest Hospital, Marymount Hospital, Metro Health Hospital, and South-Pointe Hospital.

Fire Prevention Bureau

The Fire Prevention Bureau is charged with offering a variety of services to the community; including annual fire/safety inspections of busineses, schools, foster homes, and apartment buildings for fire safety and other potential hazards. Because of privacy considerations, private homes are not included in the annual inspections. The city is fully protected by fire hydrants and has an insurance services office (ISO) of five. If you have any questions regarding fire prevention activities, contact Assistant Chief Sam Strausser (440-786-3250).

Business and Residential Services

A lock-box program for both businesses, and homes and that allows only fire-fighters immediate entry into a business or home to investigate fire alarms or medical emergencies. These metal boxes hold entry keys to entry doors and helps prevent the breaking of windows and doors.

Blood Pressure Screening

The Division of Fire offers free blood pressure checks at the fire station between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, provided we are not out of the station. Before coming to the station, we recommend that you call our non-emergency line at 440-439-1214 to confirm someone will be available to assist you.

Recycle Cans to Assist Burns Victims

We know the City of Bedford Heights has a recycling plan, but we still want and need your aluminum cans to help us assist those who have suffered burn injuries. The Aluminum Cans for Burned Children Foundation, Inc. (ACBC) is a non-profit aluminum beferage can recycling program founded by the Northern Ohio Fire-fighters (NOFF) and the Northeast Ohio Fire Chiefs Association (NEOFCA). The program is sponsored by Metro-Health Medical Center of Cleveland, and supported by 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 in plastic garbage bags to the fire station and directly deposit them at the collection post located on the south side of the fire station as you enter the south driveway at the municipal parking lot. Just look for the ACBC sign on the fence and place your cans behind the fence.

Home Fire Prevention Tips

Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. Always have a lid handy in case of fire. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires. The majority of stovetop fires happen because of unattended cooking. 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 month of December, January and February.

Smokers should use large, non-tip ashtray and soak butts and ashes before dumping them into a waste basket. 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.

Keep matches and lighters out of reach and sight of children (up high or locked in a cabinet). Children under age six are the most likely to start fires while playing with matches and/or lighters.

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.

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.

Make a home escape plan with your entire family and practice your plan at least twice a year so everyone knows what to do in a fire emergency. 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 bedrooms doors closed, install interconnected alarms in the bedrooms so that when one sounds, they all sound. Test alarms once a month and replace their batteries twice a year, or when an alarm "chirps" to tell you the 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. 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.


Safe Grilling

It is against the law in the City of 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 Division of Fire and the building 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. 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. Gasoline should never be used to start a charcoal grill. Gasoline is an explosive liquid that can cause serious injuries or death if ignited. Propane gas grills should always be used outdoors and should be operated and stored in accordance with the manufacturer's safety instructions. The main valve of propane tanks should be shut off in between uses. Parents should always take care to keep their children away from grills, or any other cooking equipment that can cause burn injuries.
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