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1. How big is the Wayzata Fire Department?

The Wayzata Fire Department is composed of 30 personnel. The department utilizes all personnel in a variety of situations and capacities.

All personnel are professional firefighters who strive to provide the citizens of Wayzata the best services available. The department operates 1 strategically located station that houses 3 engine companies, 1 ladder company, 1 heavy rescue, 1 tanker, 2 boats and 2 utility vehicles.

2. Is assistance from the fire department going to cost me?

The job functions of fire department personnel and services are a tax-funded service and there are no direct fees to the homeowner for a call for assistance from us.

3. Why can't I park in the fire lane? Obviously, if the building is on fire, I'll go move my car.

The fire lane is for fire / police / EMS only. There could be a medical emergency or a police matter that would require the use of the fire lane. If you park in the fire lane, it prevents the aforementioned personnel from doing their job to the best of their ability.

4. Can the Fire Department fill fire extinguishers?

No. We cannot endorse a company or individual, but we can suggest you look in the metropolitan phone book yellow pages under Fire Extinguishers or Fire Protection Equipment and Supplies for assistance. Also, your local department or hardware store usually carries these items.

5. What size fire extinguisher do I need for my home or business?

The minimum size fire extinguisher for a business or multifamily residence is 2A -10BC for every 6,000 square feet of area, and not to exceed 75 feet of travel distance to access the extinguisher. Single-family residences should consider the area they wish to protect and be guided by the vendor’s recommendation.

6. I need to get rid of some old gasoline, paint, and other hazardous waste products. Does the Fire Department take these items?

No. For disposal of household chemicals such as paint, used oil, gas, pesticides and cleaners, please contact the Hennepin County Recycling Center and Transfer Station. They are located at 8100 Jefferson Highway in Brooklyn Park and can be reached by calling 612-348-6500 or 612-348-6509.

The South Hennepin Recycling and Problem Waste Drop-Off Center is located at 1400 West 96th Street in Bloomington and can be reached by calling 612-348-6500 or 612-348-6509.

For detailed information on what is accepted and operational days and hours, please visit their website. Hennepin County Recycling Center Website

7. Why does the Fire Department respond with the North Memorial Ambulance to motor vehicle accidents?

In most cases, the Fire Department is dispatched in addition to the ambulance to vehicle accidents. The Fire Department's First Responders and EMTs are able to provide lifesaving treatment if they arrive first.

All EMTs and first responders are trained in CPR, communications, equipment, first aid, vital signs, patient information, patient movement and other emergency procedures. The department trains in vehicle extrication with cutters, spreaders and the "Jaws of Life" to remove victims of vehicle accidents.

The Fire Department also provides traffic control when needed at accident scenes and responds with trucks carrying water in case the scene becomes unsafe from fire.

8. Why do fire trucks respond to emergency medical calls?

Firefighters are trained as EMTs and first responders. Our primary mission is to provide supplementary support to the Ambulance personnel and Police. With our personnel in town we can often arrive prior to the ambulance and begin life saving techniques such as CPR and/or use defibrillators.

9. When an emergency vehicle is approaching while I'm driving, should I always pull over to the right and stop?

State law, and common sense, dictates that vehicles yield to emergency vehicles that are operating their emergency lights and siren. Emergency vehicle drivers are taught to pass on the left whenever possible when responding in an emergency mode. When safe, slow down, pull over to the right, and stop. However, there are circumstances where that may not be possible (if your car is already stopped, and you don't have anywhere to pull over). Simply stay put until the emergency vehicles goes around you.

If you are blocking the route of the emergency vehicle, and you are able to pull ahead and over into a clear area, use your turn signal to indicate your intentions, and proceed at a safe speed. Never slam on the brakes and stop in the middle of the road when you see apparatus approaching. Make no sudden moves. If an emergency vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, you should pull over and stop. You have no idea if they are proceeding down the road, or are turning into a driveway or intersection right in front of you.

You are not required to slow down or pull over for emergency vehicles that are responding in the opposite direction on a divided freeway or highway. Do not tailgate, "draft", or follow a responding apparatus closely. Not only is this illegal, you run the risk of collision as vehicles pull back out into traffic after the emergency vehicle goes by.

10. I have noticed a "flood light" blinking at an intersection when fire trucks are approaching, what is this?

This is a signal that an emergency vehicle is approaching and has activated a traffic control system (Opticom) which systematically and safely changes the traffic signal to provide a green light for approaching emergency vehicles. The system is usually set so that the signal is received well in advance of the emergency vehicle's arrival. It does systematically cycle through and just doesn't change opposing traffic's signal without warning. This allows the intersection to clear and helps improve the responses to emergencies through intersections.

11. Why do so many fire apparatus respond to simple incidents?

Fire Department units are dispatched according to information received by the 911 operator. The Wayzata Fire Department thinks over-cautiously when they respond to citizens in need of help. In other words, the firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen. Discovering that we need more units once we arrive is often too late.

We have learned from experience that it’s better to have too much help than not enough.

A structure fire requires a number of people to do all the assigned tasks. Firefighting teams are assigned certain responsibilities such as fire extinguishment, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, safety, accountability and rapid intervention teams when firefighters become trapped or injured.

12. Why do firefighters break windows and cut holes in a roof during a fire? It seems that they are causing more damage.

Fire in a building creates a tremendous amount of heat and smoke. In many instances, firefighters must remove this heat and smoke before they can get close enough to extinguish the fire. Heat and smoke rise, so cutting a hole in the roof and breaking out windows in strategic locations allows the smoke to vent upwards, allowing cool air to enter the structure from below. This is called "ventilation".

Venthilation improves visibility and lowers heat conditions for the firefighters inside, allowing them to quickly and safely extinguish the fire. Remember, heat and smoke cause damage too, so ventilation can actually reduce overall damage to a building and contents.

Furthermore, dangerous superheated gasses need to be ventilated to allow firefighters to safely and quickly rescue trapped occupants. The heated gasses can spread throughout the inside of the house and by breaking the window, this prevents a great deal more damage than it appears to cause.