Frequently Asked Questions

Knowing how to properly use a fire extinguisher can be critical in an emergency. Some businesses are required to provide annual fire extinguisher training for their employees, and some just want to make sure everyone on the job knows what to do if a fire should break out.

Newton firefighters routinely provide fire extinguisher training for area employers. To schedule an on-site presentation, call 316-284-6060. Fire extinguisher programs usually cover: 

• Fire classifications: different fuels and extinguishing agents
• Decision making: when to fight a fire and when to evacuate
• Proper fire extinguisher use 
• Overview of your specific emergency plan 
• Hands-on extinguisher lab with controlled fires

You should visually inspect your fire extinguisher once a week; simply make sure the gauge indicates it is fully charged. Aside from making sure your extinguisher is ready when you need it, this reinforces its location in your mind so you don’t have to think about it in an emergency – it’s right where you left it.

Extinguishers should be professionally serviced annually by a certified technician; you can find one in the phone book. If your fire extinguisher has been used or has leaked off, you should have it refilled and recharged immediately.

Every fire extinguisher should have an in-depth inspection everysix years. During a six-year maintenance, the powder is dumped, the interior of the canister is inspected, the trigger assembly is taken apart and serviced, then the extinguisher is refilled with powder and recharged.

Dry chemical fire extinguishers need to by hydrostatically tested at 12-year intervals. This service replicates a six-year maintenance, but the canister is hydrostatically pressurized in order to test the welds. Carbon dioxide extinguishers and water pressure extinguishers require this service every eight years.

It’s a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen, as well as any place you might anticipate needing one, such as the garage, in your mechanical room, near the heater, or by a fireplace or wood-burning stove. You can buy a fire extinguisher at any hardware store or big box store.

Fire extinguishers aren’t really expensive when you consider the level of protection they can afford you in an emergency. When purchasing a fire extinguisher, you should consider longevity and repeated use. As a rule of thumb, a fire extinguisher with a plastic trigger and nozzle assembly is for one-time use, while an extinguisher with a metal trigger and nozzle assembly should serve you for many years no matter how often you discharge and refill it.

As you would expect, we’re very careful about releasing private or sensitive information. Our policy is to make fire reports available to property owners and their insurance company. If you need a copy of your fire report, you must file a written request and submit it to Newton Fire/EMS administration at the headquarters station at 200 E. 3rd St. A $15 fee is applicable.

A patient or their representative may access or obtain copies of their health records. This must be done in person at Station 2 by submitting a Release of Information, photo ID, and any other required documentation and/or fees. Contact the EMS Billing Department at 316-284-6199 for more information.

The dissemination of Protected Health Information is tightly regulated by federal law, and all sensitive information is held by Newton Fire/EMS members in the strictest of confidence. Our job depends on a high level of trust between our members and the people they serve; we work diligently to build and maintain that trust.

Station tours are often the high point of the day at the fire station, for kids and firefighters alike. If you’d like to schedule a station tour, simply call 316-284-6060 to make an appointment at Station 2 at 3rd and Oak, call 316-284-6156 to make an appointment at Station 3 at South Kansas and SE 26th, or call 316-284-6069 to make an appointment at Station 1 at Broadway and Boyd. If they’re not out of the station on emergency calls, firefighters love to show off the trucks, work areas and living quarters they call home every third day.

First Aid and CPR courses are offered by Newton Fire/EMS.To enroll in a course call Station 2 at 316-284-6060.

Open burning is prohibited in the City of Newton. The safest way to remove tree limbs is to haul them to the Harvey County Solid Waste Transfer Station or schedule a bulky item pickup from the City. An exception may be granted for special situations. Citizens may apply for a burn permit at Fire/EMS Station 2 at 200 E. 3rd St. After making application, a department representative will visually inspect the proposed burn, then determine if an exception is appropriate.

If a burn permit is issued, several conditions must be observed: 

• Burning is not permitted if wind speeds exceed 15 mph. 

• The fire must be continuously monitored by a competent adult from the time of ignition until the time of extinguishment.

• If smoke conditions generate a traffic hazard or odor complaints, the fire must be completely
  extinguished and the citizen must apply for a burn permit when weather conditions are more
  favorable. 

• The controlled burn must be at least 100 feet from the nearest structure, and an adequate distance from other combustible materials. 

• An approved burn permit must be in the possession of the person doing the burning. 

• The permit holder must notify the Harvey County Communications Department before commencing
  the burn and when the burn is concluded.

Newton City code outlines specific requirements for displaying residential and commercial addresses. Residents should: 

• Use numbers at least 4 inches tall.

• Use numbers that contrast with the background. 

• Make sure numbers are visible from the street.

Numbers that meet these criteria can be purchased at B&B Lumber, Graber’s Hardware, and Walmart. If you need help installing your house numbers, call Newton Fire/EMS at 316-284-6065.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for inspecting and approving all day care centers and preschools. A full list of regulations can be found on the Fire Marshal's website. You can also contact the office at 785-296-3401.

One of the most common questions pertains to fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers in a day care should be conspicuously located and readily accessible for immediate use. They should be rated 2A/10BC. This rating is used to determine how much fire a non-expert could be expected to extinguish with a fire extinguisher. Generally, a 5-pound ABC fire extinguisher will meet this requirement, and you can purchase one at any hardware store, big box store, or at Newton Fire/EMS Station 2 at 200 E. 3rd St. If you have questions about fire extinguishers or need instruction in fire extinguisher use, call 316-284-6060 to speak with a Newton firefighter.

Newton Fire/EMS endorses the File of Life program. This is a free service that helps you communicate your personal health information to health care professionals even if you’re incapacitated. It works like this:

Stop by any Newton Fire/EMS station and pick up a File of Life packet. This packet contains a health information card where you can list things like your medical history, allergies and medications, emergency contacts, and your personal physician. This information card fits into a red plastic sleeve with a magnet on the back. Simply fill out the card, place it in the sleeve, and place the sleeve on the door of your refrigerator at home. Newton paramedics and EMTs are trained to look there for health information if the patient isn’t able to provide it. In addition to the File of Life for your home, you can pick up a smaller version that fits easily into a wallet or purse in case you suffer a medical emergency while you’re away.