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Farewell Firefighter Nissen

Farewell Firefighter Nissen

Firefighter Nissen began his career with Oregon Fire and Rescue on 10/19/1988. He was one of the last Paramedics assigned to Life Squad 8, along with his longtime partner, Doug Cousino. For 36 years, Doug cared for many patients, extinguished numerous fires, and...

Safe Kids Day 2025

Join us at Pearson Metropark on May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  We will host our Bike Rodeo, along with helmet fittings provided by our Safe Kids experts.   Learn about water and boat safety and get fitted for your very own life jacket. We will be at Lot 4, eager...

State Wide Burn Ban

Please review the Ohio Burn Laws before you burn. Clean and dry wood may be burned in a 3x3 pit or ring after 6:00 PM. In the month of March, No burning is permitted during the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.  Dry and Windy weather also provides natural hazards for open...

2024 Annual Report

The Oregon Fire and Rescue Department (O.F.R.D) responded to nearly 4,000 incidents in 2024, an 11% increase in run volume from 2023. O.F.R.D. was active in fire prevention, new hires, department growth, community outreach, and training. Please click on the link to...

Staying safe this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is near. Statistics show a rise in cooking-related fires during the week of Thanksgiving. We have provided some helpful tips to help you keep your family and your home safe. Frozen turkeys and hot oil don't mix. Thaw your turkey before cooking. For most...

Smoke Alarm Safety

Smoke alarms save lives. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

Smoke Alarm Facts and Stats

Smoke detector and fire alarm in action background

  • In 2009-2013, smoke alarms sounded in more than half (53%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.
  • Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms (38%) or no working smoke alarms (21%).
  • The death rate per 100 reported home fires was more than twice as high in homes that did not have any working smoke alarms compared to the rate in homes with working smoke alarms (1.18 deaths vs. 0.53 deaths per 100 fires).
  • In fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, almost half (46%) of the smoke alarms had missing or disconnected batteries.
  • Dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke alarm failures.
Smoke Alarm Safety- Everything You Need to Know
  • A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home.
  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
  • Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
  • Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
  • There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
  • Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
  • Smoke alarms are not expensive and are worth the lives they can help save.
  • A  smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. A smoke alarm only works when it is properly installed and regularly tested. Take care of your smoke alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Need help with a smoke alarm? ‘Contact Us’

For more information and resources on Smoke Alarms, check out our Smoke Alarm FAQs!

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Fire Safety Center

Latest News

Farewell Firefighter Nissen

Farewell Firefighter Nissen

Firefighter Nissen began his career with Oregon Fire and Rescue on 10/19/1988. He was one of the last Paramedics assigned to Life Squad 8, along with his longtime partner, Doug Cousino. For 36 years, Doug cared for many patients, extinguished numerous fires, and...

Safe Kids Day 2025

Join us at Pearson Metropark on May 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  We will host our Bike Rodeo, along with helmet fittings provided by our Safe Kids experts.   Learn about water and boat safety and get fitted for your very own life jacket. We will be at Lot 4, eager...

State Wide Burn Ban

Please review the Ohio Burn Laws before you burn. Clean and dry wood may be burned in a 3x3 pit or ring after 6:00 PM. In the month of March, No burning is permitted during the hours of 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM.  Dry and Windy weather also provides natural hazards for open...

2024 Annual Report

The Oregon Fire and Rescue Department (O.F.R.D) responded to nearly 4,000 incidents in 2024, an 11% increase in run volume from 2023. O.F.R.D. was active in fire prevention, new hires, department growth, community outreach, and training. Please click on the link to...

Staying safe this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is near. Statistics show a rise in cooking-related fires during the week of Thanksgiving. We have provided some helpful tips to help you keep your family and your home safe. Frozen turkeys and hot oil don't mix. Thaw your turkey before cooking. For most...

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