FAQs • City of Lenoir, NC • CivicEngage

Why do Fire trucks show up when I called for an ambulance?: Fire Departments respond to medical calls to assist ambulance transport agencies through the “First Responder Program” in Caldwell County. Usually, firefighters can get to scenes in their communities quickly and assess medical patients and provide basic life support until the ambulance can arrive to take them to the hospital. All Firefighters at the City of Lenoir Fire Department are certified Emergency Medical Technicians to provide basic life support.

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Fire Department FAQs

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1. Do you have/install smoke alarms?: Yes, the City of Lenoir Fire Department receives smoke alarms through a State grant. Upon request, staff will come and evaluate your home for smoke alarm placement and then install them for you as availability allows.Call 828-757-2190.

2. Do you install/inspect child safety seats?: No, the Fire department does not currently perform this service. The Caldwell County Fire Marshal’s Office will do this service at the County Department of Social Services building through appointment. Visit www.caldwellcountync.org/fire-marshal for contact information.

3. Who pays for your food while on duty?: The firefighters are responsible for buying and preparing their own meals. Most shifts share the cost of groceries and cook and eat together.

4. Does the Fire Department fill swimming pools?: No, the Fire Department does not fill swimming pools. However, if the Public Utilities Department gives you approval and a water meter, the Fire Department will let residents borrow some hose.

5. What hours do firefighters work?: City of Lenoir firefighters work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. The department has three different shifts (A, B, & C). Firefighters report to our station at 8:00 a.m. and are relieved at 8:00 a.m. the next morning. Administrative personnel work Monday through Friday, daytime hours.

6. Can I burn yard leaves, limbs, sticks, etc.?: NO. City ordinance prohibits open burning, which is mandated by the North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources and the North Carolina Division of Air Quality since the City of Lenoir has public pickup available for yard waste. Also because of this ordinance, Lenoir Fire Department does not write burning permits. If you live in the County you should contact the NC Forest Service via website or phone to get a list of agencies that will issue burning permits near you.

7. Does the Fire Department inspect / clean chimneys?: No. Staff are not properly equipped to inspect or clean inside chimneys. Residents should contact a chimney sweep company to perform a certified inspection on their chimneys and components.

8. Do firefighters help get cats out of trees?: Yes, if feasibly possible with equipment and staffing. Firefighters also consider whether or not they may injure the cat or themselves or damage equipment and/or other property.

9. Does the Fire Department charge for services?: The only additional fees charged by the Fire Department service are charges for medical stand-by use and patient transport with the department’s ambulance. The rest of the Fire Department’s services are funded through the City of Lenoir revenues generated by property taxes, service fees, and sales taxes.

10. Do firefighters sleep at the fire department?

Yes. Firefighters sleep at the station in separate bedrooms while working 24 hour shift but are required to answer calls no matter the time of day or night.

11. Does the Fire Department respond to other calls other than fires?: Yes. Firefighters respond to all medical calls, rescues, hazardous materials, natural disasters, and service calls from the public that are within our scope of practice. The Department also provides back-up Ambulance transports for Caldwell County.

12. How many Fire Stations are in the City?: The City of Lenoir Fire Department operates out of three fire stations inside the City . Station 1 is located at 602 Harper Ave. and houses seven firefighters, a ladder truck, an engine, a tower truck, and an ambulance. Station 2 is located at 1927 Norwood St. and houses six firefighters, a ladder truck, and an engine. Station 3 is located at 1015 Wilkesboro Blvd. and houses a battalion chief, four firefighters, and an engine.

13. Other than responding to calls, what else do firefighters do during their shifts?: On top of responding to emergency and non-emergency calls from citizens, Firefighters also do a lot of training and maintenance. Fire fighters run training exercises, keep a daily inventory and maintain of equipment and apparatus, maintain the fire stations and grounds, which includes mowing, tree trimming, and cleaning the parking lot.

14. Are the Fire Stations ever closed?: No. Fire Stations are open and staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year ready to respond to the needs of our City and citizens.

15. Why do Fire trucks show up when I called for an ambulance?: Fire Departments respond to medical calls to assist ambulance transport agencies through the “First Responder Program” in Caldwell County. Usually, firefighters can get to scenes in their communities quickly and assess medical patients and provide basic life support until the ambulance can arrive to take them to the hospital. All Firefighters at the City of Lenoir Fire Department are certified Emergency Medical Technicians to provide basic life support.

16. How do I apply to be a Firefighter at Lenoir Fire Department?: You can download an application from cityoflenoir.com/Jobs or pick one up at City Hall. You must submit your application to the City of Lenoir’s Human Resources office. The Fire Department cannot accept your completed application. All interested applicants must be at least 18 years old, be a high school graduate or equivalent, be a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and have some Firefighter series classes. Note, we hire all staff initially as part-time employees and maintain a pool of four part-time firefighters. As full-time positions become available, staff select one of the part-timers to be promoted to full-time.

17. What are some of the benefits of being a firefighter with the the City of Lenoir?: All new city employees receive benefits including: 12 Holidays; 10 Vacation Days (5 Shifts for Firefighters) (increased days with years of service); 12 Sick Days; Medical, Life and Worker’s Compensation Insurance; Retirement; and Free Memberships to City Fitness Facilities. City personnel receive additional benefits depending on the departments they work in or State mandates. In addition to eh benefits above, Fire Department personnel receive benefits such as Firefighter trade time, leave for classes (depending on staffing levels), exempt from community college fees for continuing education, free complete OSHA physicals, free use of updated exercise equipment at each fire station, when not training can have time for family visits and personal time on duty to clean their vehicle, allowed to go get groceries for their shift, and allowed to go out and eat at local restaurants.

18. Firefighters wear a lot of gear. How much does all that weigh?

On an average, including all our turnout gear (helmet, coat, pants, boots, gloves, and hood) and breathing apparatus (SCBA), firefighter gear weighs about 65 pounds. Depending on the job assignment, there can be even more weight added due to the tools required to complete certain tasks.