Hot Topics
This page is devoted to "Hot Topics" or issues that are of importance to you and your family.
2013 EMS Week Open House
To celebrate EMS Week 2013, the Urbandale Fire Department will be hosting an open house on Saturday, May 25, at Station 41, 7100 Douglas. Please see the flyer below for all the details!
No Open Burning
The Urbandale Fire Department would like to remind residents that the use of wood burning fire pits, fire bowls, and similar devices are considered illegal burning. Devices for the cooking of food are allowed as long as certain criteria are followed. Please see the brochure below for the regulations on Open Burning in Urbandale.
2013 Kids Fire Academy
The Urbandale Fire Department Kids Fire Academy will take place June 3 - June 5, 2013. Participants of this academy will learn about the history of the Fire Service and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the roles that Firefighter/EMTs serve in the community today. More information and a registration form can be found in the document below.
Severe Weather Awareness Week 2013 is March 25th through the 29th
Urbandale Fire Department is teaming up with Walgreen’s, Urbandale Senior Center and Hy-Vee to help increase awareness.
It is that time of year; Severe Weather Awareness Week 2013 is March 25th through the 29th. The Urbandale Fire Department is committed to providing the education and awareness to the citizens of Urbandale about the importance of preparing for severe weather.
This year the Urbandale Fire Department will be teaming up with local area businesses/facilities to get the word out about severe weather. A table will be set up at the following locations and times; Walgreen’s located at 4600 86th Street on Monday March 25th from 3:00 PM till 6:00 PM, the Walgreen’s located at 7000 Douglas Avenue on Tuesday March 26th from 3:00 PM till 6:00 PM, the Urbandale Senior Center located at 7305 Aurora Avenue on Thursday March 28th from 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM, and the Hy-Vee located at 8701 Douglas Avenue on Thursday March 28th from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM.
At these locations and times the Urbandale Fire Department will have personnel on hand to educate and provide awareness about severe weather. We will be explaining the importance of having a plan and preparing early for severe weather. The business locations will have weather radios on hand for purchase and some of them for discounted prices. The Urbandale Fire Department understands the challenge that the weather radios pose when trying to program weather radios, a simpler sheet has been made and will be handed out to help alleviate the issues.
Handouts have been developed to assist in educating the public. In these handouts they will explain some tips on how to prepare for severe weather, including a list of supplies you could possibly need in a worst case scenario, they will also have information on what to expect from the government after a disaster event. We will also be providing information on our new Emergency Message Alerts that we provide for the City of Urbandale.
The Urbandale Fire Department’s goal is to better prepare our community from disaster events. We want to be able to assist the citizens of our community in minimizing their losses during these events. Please join us at the above times and locations so that we can help you become better prepared.
Any questions regarding these events can be forwarded to the Urbandale Fire Department located at 3927 121st Street or you can reach us at 515-278-3970. We look forward to seeing you.
Are You Ready for Severe Weather?
Get a Kit! Make a Plan! Stay Informed! Please see the Severe Weather brochure below for more tips and information on preparing for severe weather.
Daylight Saving Time begins March 10 - Change the Batteries in Your Smoke and CO Alarms!
Do you have working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home? If not, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges you to install them. Smoke and CO alarms add an important layer of safety to your home.
If you do have smoke and CO alarms, make sure they are working properly and have fresh batteries! Daylight Saving Time is a great time to replace the batteries and test for proper functionality.
Safety in Public Venues
February 20, 2013, is the 10th anniversary of the Station Nightclub Fire that killed 100 people and injured hundreds more in West Warwick, Rhode Island. In addition to the horrific civilian loss and lingering physical and mental/emotional damage, take time to also remember the efforts of the West Warwick Firefighters who faced the incredible challenges that night. To learn more about the West Warwick tragedy and the lasting effects please read the following article - "Forged by Fire, Ten Years After".
Unfortunately, the recent nightclub tragedy in Brazil shows that history will continue to repeat itself until citizens, building owners, and elected officials take fire safety to heart and install the necessary life safety systems to assure people have a reasonable chance to survive a fire in a public assembly building. You can help do your part with situational awareness. Below is an informational guide on safety in public venues. Stay Safe!”
UFD Text Alerts
The Urbandale Fire Department has established a new service that allows anyone to sign up to receive emergency alerts via text message. Please see the flyer below for more information regarding the service and how you can sign up.
New Year’s Fire Safety Resolutions for 2013 – Make Them and Keep Them!
Please take a few minutes to read this message from the President of the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM). Let’s make - and keep - some resolutions for 2013 to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our homes from fire!
Citizen Fire Academy
The Urbandale Fire Department (UFD) Citizen Fire Academy will take place in Spring 2013. The goal of this program is to enhance relationships between Urbandale residents and the men and women of the Urbandale Fire Department. This program, although not new to Fire & EMS agencies, is designed to give a clearer understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the fire department in the community. Participants of the program will have the unique opportunity to learn how the Urbandale Fire Department provides quality community services to its customers. More information and an application can be found in the document below.
Winter Holiday and Christmas Tree Safety
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart! A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Follow the simple tips in the documents below to help ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
2012 Holiday Assistance Information
As we enter the holiday season many of us will be enjoying the comforts of family, food, and holiday cheer. Unfortunately, there are many who will not. Please click on the link below to find out where those in need can get assistance this holiday season and throughout the winter. Please pass this information on to those who you feel my benefit from such services. Also remember that the organizations providing services also need support.
Fire Prevention Week 2012 - Open House!
As part of Fire Prevention Week 2012, the Urbandale Fire Department is hosting an open house on Saturday, October 13th! Click the flyer below for all the details!
Fire Prevention Week 2012
Fire Prevention Week 2012 is October 7-13! This year's theme is "Have 2 Ways Out". The Urbandale Fire Department will be conducting PR events throughout the week, ending with an open house on Saturday, October 13th. Click below for a home safety checklist and helpful safety tips!
Arson Awareness Week
May 6-12, 2012 is “Arson Awareness Week. The theme for this year’s Arson Awareness Week is “Prevent Youth Firesetting.”
Between 2005 - 2009, fires started by children nationally accounted for an average of 56,300 fires with associated losses of 110 civilian deaths, 880 civilian injuries and $286 million in direct property damage per year. In 2010, according to the FBI, 40% of arson arrests were juveniles with 47.6 % of those children under 16 years of age.
Parents should teach young children that fire is a tool, not a toy; keep matches and lighters out of reach, in high, ideally locked cabinets; and set a good example by safely using matches, lighters and fire. The most important thing a parent or caregiver can do is to always supervise young children. Youth firesetting is currently the 3rd leading cause of fire in the State of Iowa.
Holiday Fire Safety Presentation
Please take a few minutes to view this Holiday Fire Safety presentation put together by the Urbandale Fire Department. Within the presentation are several Life Safety tips, Christmas Tree Safety tips and a video that shows the devastating fire that can occur when a dry Christmas tree is ignited.
Smoke Detectors and Residential Sprinkler Systems
Smoke detectors are the most important early notification device in your home to alert you to a fire! Many fire deaths occur in homes where there were either no smoke detectors present or the detectors did not work. Residential fire sprinklers, in conjunction with smoke detectors, give you the best chance of surviving a fire and help to minimize the devastating effects of a fire. Please read the important information regarding smoke detectors and residential fire sprinklers in the documents below.
Home Fire Escape Planning
Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire. Please read the important information regarding escape planning in the documents below.
Cooking Safety
Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries. Please read the document below for important safety tips to help you prevent cooking fires.
Heating Safety
Heating equipment is another leading cause of home fire deaths. Please read the document below for safety tips and precautions to help you prevent heating fires.
Candle Safety
Candles are pretty to look at but they are also a cause of home fires and home fire deaths. Please read the document below for safety tips when using candles.
Electric Outlet Safety
Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Refrain from using devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle outlet.
