Fire Department

A Letter From the Chief

The Mayfield Heights Fire Department continues to serve its residents, visitors, and neighbors with efficiency, effectiveness, and professionalism. We take great pride in the service provided to each of you by utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and highly trained personnel. This approach and careful consideration of cost-effectiveness continue to make our Department a successful public safety service.

Over the past year, calls for service have steadily increased, especially in Emergency Medical Services, with an 82% occurrence of total volume. Our members consistently attend various continuing medical education classes and seminars to meet this increased demand.

The Department's Emergency Medical Service Officer and Hillcrest Hospital's Medical Director review pre-hospital care daily. This quality assurance approach provides the necessary checks and balances that set the standard of care in the Hillcrest area.

The Department also provides its personnel with cutting-edge technology in pre-hospital diagnostic equipment. We recently took ownership of a new 12-lead EKG monitor and a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure unit (CPAP) which is now on our squad. It is used primarily for patients suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF). The CPAP was purchased by Hillcrest Hospital.

The Department responds to calls for investigation for the incidence of smoke and carbon monoxide detector activation, as well as fuel spills and basic aid to persons, which includes a variety of public service issues. The most frequent types of calls include fire alarm activation and reports of smoke or odors of smoke within a structure.

Fires in both homes and businesses typically result from overheated or overloaded electric wires, cigarette ashes, sparks from fireplaces, improper use and supervision of flammable liquids, appliances in poor repair, and unattended cooking in the kitchen area. Recently, the Department has experienced a rash of fires, both large and small, caused by improper supervision of candles. Statistics show that fires from candles doubled in the month of December. In the event of a power outage, the Department strongly urges the use of flashlights. Candles are not recommended.

It is important to have properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home or business. When considering the dangers of fire or smoke in the home, emphasis should be placed on preventing fires in the first place. The Department's Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for providing fire prevention and education programs that provide for the protection of the lives and property in the City of Mayfield Heights. The bureau is also responsible for maintaining fire protection systems and the determination of the cause and origin of all fires occurring within the City.

The Department's Training Officer makes sure that all personnel are constantly trained following the guidelines of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), the National Response Plan, and Incident Command. This training, coordinated through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Fire Academy, is part of a nationwide program to standardize response procedures for large and small-scale incidents between multiple agencies and jurisdictions.

The Mayfield Heights Fire Department continues to move forward in our delivery of safety services.

Personnel are constantly preparing for the wide variety of challenges that face our society. I am privileged to have a dedicated staff of officers and firefighters who strive for optimum performance and who are continually looking for ways to improve the operation of the Department in a conscientious and cost-effective manner.

On behalf of the Department, I thank all of you very much for your continued support. It remains a pleasure to serve such a wonderful community.

Sincerely,

Bruce Elliott
Chief of Fire