Fire-Rescue

The Beachwood Fire-Rescue Service is dedicated to protecting life and property by promoting quality, progressive, performance-based services.

The department provides these services with compassion and professionalism through education and teamwork.

Fire Department Accreditation

After three and a half years of preparation, the Fire Department has gained accreditation status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), a sub-division of the Center for Public Safety Excellence. CFAI's mission is to provide a well-defined, internationally recognized benchmark system to measure the delivery of fire and emergency services to a community.

Overall, there were 254 criteria and performance indicators within ten categories that were scrutinized. Of these indicators, 110 were considered to be "critical," whereby all conditions must be met. The remianing indicators, if not met, needed to be documented as to how they are being addressed. The following had to be developed in preparation for the accreditation process:

• a strategic plan,
• a risk analysis of the community,
• a standards of coverage document defining how and in what time frame the Fire Department responds to emergencies,
• a self-assessment manual which included information on all 254 indicators.

"Accreditation Manager Captain William Peskura and Assistant Manager Firefighter Anthony Strazzo did a tremendous job heading this project. The site visit consisted of three peer assessors and one team leader, all of which stayed for five days. When on site, our peer assessment team's main focus was on the operation of our Department," said Fire Chief Patrick Kearns, "They also talked with other departments to get a handle on how our operation runs within the City."

The Beachwood Fire Department is the sixth Department in Ohio to gain accreditation status, and the 122nd Department out of over 43,000 Departments in the country to gain this elite status. "In recognition of gaining accreditation status, I had the honor of attending an Awards Ceremony in Atlanta, Georgia on August 23rd with Fire Chief Kearns, Captain William Peskura and Firefighter Anthony Strazzo. It was at this ceremony that the Accreditation Commission unanimously voted in favor of presenting the Fire Department with this prodigious award," said Mayor Gorden.

Ohioans Urged to Use Caution with Grills This Summer

As Ohioans prepare for barbeques and backyard grilling this summer, State Fire Marshal Michael P. Bell urges families across the state to take safety precautions when using their grills. Learn more (528K PDF)

Fact Sheet on Shelter-in-Place

One of the instructions you may be given in an emergency where hazardous materials may have been released into the atmosphere is to shelter-in-place. This is a precaution aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors. (This is not the same thing as going to a shelter in case of a storm.) Shelter-in-place means selecting a small, interior room, with no or few windows, and taking refuge there. It does not mean sealing off your entire home or office building. If you are told to shelter-in-place, follow the instructions provided in this fact sheet (86K PDF).

Change Your Clock Change Your Battery ® 2010

For the 22nd year, the International Association of Fire Chiefs ("IAFC"), Energizer, and 6,200 fire departments have partnered on the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery program to remind communities nationwide of the life-saving habit of changing the battery in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks back to Standard Time.

When we change our clocks...

• Daylight Saving Time begins for most of the United States at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March.

• Time reverts to standard time at 2 a.m. on the first Sunday of November. In the U.S.,
each time zone switches at a different time.

Twice a year, when Daylight Saving Time begins or ends, make it a habit to not only change your clocks, but do a few other semi-annual tasks that will improve safety in your home...

While it may seem like a simple and easy habit to remember, 20 percent of homes in the United States do not have a working smoke alarm, mostly due to dead or missing batteries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Therefore, over 25 million homes are even more at risk of facing a deadly home fire. Sadly, about 540 children ages 14 and under die each year from a home fire. Having a working smoke alarm can provide those crucial extra seconds to escape a burning home. Therefore, it is critical for families to adopt the life-saving habit of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® program to make sure they take this one simple step to help keep their families safe.

Fire Pits / Chimineas

In the past few years outdoor fireplaces or commonly known as fire pits/Chimineas have become very popular in the United States. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits or chimineas have some very important characteristics that make them fall into the outdoor fireplace category. Listed below are some characteristics that must be present to allow these devices to be considered an outdoor fireplace.

1. Constructed of clay, cast iron or cast aluminum.
2. Must have a chimney, screen or top for spark arresting safety.
3. Shall be listed for use as outdoor fire place, fire pit, or chiminea.
4. Elevated off the ground with feet or pedestal.

The State of Ohio fire code allows these devices as long as safety is the #1 priority. When using these devices here are a couple of safety tips that shall be followed and if not can result in an unsafe condition or the fire to be extinguished by local authorities.

1. Have a fire Extinguisher or water source readily available to extinguish the fire. (Beachwood Codified Ordinance 660.08 .(E).4 / Ohio Fire Code 307.5)
2. All recreational fires in approved containers must be a minimum of 15ft from any structure. (Beachwood Codified Ordinance 660.08 .(E).3 / Ohio Fire Code 307.5)
3. Do NOT burn treated wood, pellets, or charcoal (and of course, never burn toxic materials) (Beachwood Codified Ordinance 660.08 .(E).6)
4. Place the Fireplace/chiminea in a spot that is clear of hanging trees, branches, brushes, or anything else that is flammable.
5. Position the chiminea on a flat and fireproof surface (rock, concrete, bricks)
6. Never leave the fire unattended. Also make sure it is completely extinguished before going in for the night. (Beachwood Codified Ordinance 660.08 .(E).4 / Ohio Fire Code 307.5)
7. Do NOT use lighter fluid or gasoline. Use fire starters!

The City of Beachwood Fire Prevention Bureau does not encourage the use of outdoor fireplaces/chimineas fire safety reasons. The fire Prevention Bureau would also like to remind you that the Beachwood Codified Ordinance and the Ohio Fire Code reserves the right for these fires to be extinguished anytime a complaint is received for conditions that are offensive or objectionable because of smoke or odor emissions or conditions that warrant it due to safety. (BCO 1503.10 / OFC 307.1.1)

Child Safety Seat Checks

In conjunction with the Safe Kids Coalition, the Beachwood Fire Department holds Resident Child Safety Seat Checks every Thursday - by APPOINTMENT ONLY at Fire Station 1 located at 2655 Richmond Road. Individual appointments and company-wide checks are available. Please call 216-292-1965 to make an appointment.

Beachwood Fire Department Offers CPR Classes

Tune to 1630 AM Beachwood’s Emergency Community Radio Station

Fire Station #1 & Administration 2655 Richmond Road Phone: 216-292-1965 Fax: 292-1900 E-mail: fire@beachwoodohio.com Fire Station #2 24619 Chagrin Boulevard Phone: 216-292-1975 Fax: 216-595-5478