Safety Corner

Your Stratmoor Hills Fire Department is manned 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

Make sure at night your house numbers are well illuminated.
Have your house number posted on your mailbox with 2″ reflective numbers.
If you take medications, have them on a list that can be taken to the hospital.
Make a list of your medical history and all drug allergies and keep them in an easy to find place, i.e. the fridge. (See File of Life information.)
If you have animals, please put them up.
Don’t wait to call 911!

Dispatched at the same time as the Firefighters are and are often in the house at the Fire Station, so response times are quicker.
Always has a paramedic on board
FEES – If they do not transport you – there is no fee.

If you or a loved one has a DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order try to have a copy available for Paramedic and/or EMT’s when they arrive.
To download and fill out the MOST form, click HERE.

AVAILABLE at Fire Station – “File of Life Magnet”
These magnets have information about your medications, conditions, Doctor’s name and numbers, family names and numbers etc.
You put it on your refrigerator where it is easily accessible in the event of an emergency
Can be given to emergency personnel or used at the hospital.
Can be picked up at the Fire Station anytime and if you need more we can get more.

If we cannot get in through the front or garage door we WILL use invasive measures, such as breaking a window or forcing the door only if necessary.
If you have a coded entry / garage door that information is only given to the Sheriff dispatch who will relay that information to the Firefighters to be used only during an emergency.

Sitting too close to the steering wheel is dangerous – may be life threatening. If the air bag deploys it can give you a bruise, break collar bone or cause serious burn injuries.
Having loose “stuff” in your car is DANGEROUS. In the event of a crash or rollover this “stuff” can hurt you – maybe severely.
Ensure you and your passengers are always wearing seatbelt properly. It is a proven fact that those individuals not seat belted in can become projectiles during a rollover accident.
If you use your mobile phone while driving use a “hands free” device will reduce distractions and allow you to focus on the traffic.
Never wear headphones or an ear plug while driving and try to avoid distractions such as texting, changing out CD’s, going through wallet or purse etc.

If you see an Ambulance, Fire Truck or Police Officer with lights and/or sirens on, please safely pull over to the right side of the road.
DO NOT PULL OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION – they will find a way to go around you so that everyone is safe as they do not want to cause another emergency.

You are not charged if they are called to your home to assist you
SHVFD does not transport to hospital – you choose method of transport
Will check blood pressure or vitals anytime at the Fire Station located on B Street, unless you are unable to come down here, we can and will come to your house.
Neighbors are invited to visit the fire station anytime between 8 am and 8 pm – Come down and have a cup of coffee, visit the firefighters, take a tour, or come watch trainings on Thursday nights starting at 7:00 and some Saturdays.
Firefighters can come to your house to check your smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarm.

Stay calm and answer the dispatcher’s questions- he/she will tell you what to do until emergency personnel arrive.
If possible put pets away – this is for safety of pets as well as emergency personnel
Injuries most often result from slips, trips, and falls over “stuff” out of place or in the way in your own home – ensure you have a safe pathway and uncluttered home.
Inform the 9-1-1 dispatcher if you have a “Knox Box” attached to your home – this allows the Fire Department to get into your home if you are unable to answer the door, not home for a structure fire / smoke detector sounding, etc. If you are interested in knowing more about the Knox Box, please call the Fire Station Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Ensure that your address is clearly visible from the street and there is good lighting (at night) for the Firefighters and ambulance to find your home. This can be done for little cost but makes a big difference in the middle of the night when we can’t find your house.
It is common for people to wait too long to ask for help – delay in calling for help can make matters worse.

We cannot re-light your pilot light on your stove, water heater or furnace.
We cannot turn your gas back on once it has been turned off.
We cannot make any repairs or verify any repairs are correct and in proper working condition.
We cannot pump water out of basements or crawl spaces; however we can try to turn your water off in the event of a broken water line.
We do not certify Fire Extinguishers.
We do not fill swimming pools.
We have no control over your neighbor’s weeds, trash or junk – Please call El Paso County Code Enforcement at 719.520.6748 or 719.520.6300
We cannot cut down dead trees or clear bushes along creek beds or ravines.
On occasion we will come rescue a cat in a tree; however, we will not risk the Firefighter’s safety if we cannot reach the animal. Please call the Humane Society for help.