Fire Prevention

Mt. Vernon Fire Department

FIRE PREVENTION

    Fire Prevention plays a key role in the day-to-day operations of the Mt. Vernon Fire Department.



       Inspector Donny Hayes oversees all aspects of Fire Prevention, including Inspection, Training and Hazardous Materials. Donny began employment with the Mt. Vernon Fire Department in 1992 as a Firefighter. Currently, he is a Fire Inspector, Lead Training Officer and Paramedic.

      The Department conducts most training on-site, and various Fire Prevention courses are taught routinely by the Department and the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

    In the year 2006, the Fire Prevention Bureau reported 46 inspections, 15 re-inspections, 5 consultations, 3 underground tank inspections, 9 building plans were reviewed, and there were 1,152 hours of training classes.

    There are 4 outdoor warning sirens at strategic locations within the City of Mt. Vernon. These sirens are tested monthly on the first Tuesday of every month.

    Fire Department training and certification is an ongoing requirement of the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office, the F.A.A., the Public Health Department and O.S.H.A.

   During 2006, the Fire Prevention Department finished the second year of the Risk Watch Unintentional Injury Program, including Fire and Burn Prevention. 51 classes from Pre-Kindergarten to Eighth Grade containing 1,040 students participated in Risk Watch. Those schools not involved in Risk Watch received a fire prevention message similar to that of Risk Watch and approximately 600 students received the fire prevention message, placing the total amount to over 1,600 students from Pre-School to Eighth Grade.

   The Fire Prevention Department participated in health fairs at the following locations during 2006: Crossroads Community Hospital Health Fair, U. of I. Extension Office Safety and Health Fair and Wal-Mart Safety Days. We also participated in the annual Mt. Vernon Teachers' Conference and the Regional Office of Education Career Fair Day at Mt. Vernon Township High School.

   As part of a grant received from the Illinois Commerce Commission, the Fire Prevention Department participated in training to educate the public about Railroad Grade Crossing Safety and Trespassing on railroad tracks. This program is called Operation Lifesaver and is a joint effort between the Fire and Police Departments.   We have participated in educating the students about Operation Lifesaver at the Primary Center, as well as Ameren IP Employees and Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce members. We helped chaperone a trip to the World Health Museum in Barrington, Illinois by boarding an Amtrak Train from Centralia to Chicago to promote the message of rail safety. Students from the Primary Center and Summersville Grade School accompanied by a parent made the trip. The trip was a huge success and we hope to offer it again during 2007.

   We hope to expand our efforts in 2007 and continue to provide valuable fire prevention services to the citizens of our community in to the future.

   We feel Mt. Vernon has one of the best and well-trained departments in Southern Illinois, not only in Fire Suppression operations, but also in Emergency Medical Services.

    Any questions regarding Fire Prevention may be directed to Inspector Hayes at 618-242-6883 or via email at fireinvest@mvn.net.