FAQs

1. I would like to have the Fire Department present a safety talk to my church, school or other organization.
2. I would like to have my group take a tour of a fire station.
3. Where can I get training on use of portable fire extinguishers?
4. I am a homeowner in Chesapeake, may I burn leaves and limbs on my property?
5. I’ve noticed that quite often a fire engine responds with an ambulance to medical calls, why do you do that?
6. I’ve noticed Chesapeake Firefighters shopping in grocery stores, does the city pay for their meals?
7. I would like information on becoming a Chesapeake Firefighter.
8. I noticed a Chesapeake fire engine going down the street with the lights on and siren sounding, then they turned them off and kept on going down the road, was this driver’s training?
9. I would like to have a bon fire at my next school, church or other organization’s event. Do I need a permit?
10. If the Chesapeake Fire Department needed to respond to my house, what is the best way I can make sure they find me?
11. I noticed that on some small fire alarms, there were three fire engines, a Ladder truck, a Chief and an ambulance there, why so many?
12. Does the Chesapeake Fire Department solicit funds over the phone or door to door?

I would like to have the Fire Department present a safety talk to my church, school or other organization.

Please call the Customer Care Center at 757-382-2489 at least two weeks in advance of your event. Please note that our availability may be limited by other duties and units may need to remain “in–service” for response to alarms.

I would like to have my group take a tour of a fire station.

Please call the Customer Care Center at 757-382-2489 at least two weeks in advance of your event. Please note that our availability may be limited by other duties and units may need to remain “In-Service” for response to alarms.

Where can I get training on use of portable fire extinguishers?

Please call 757-382-6297 for information.

I am a homeowner in Chesapeake, may I burn leaves and limbs on my property?

See the Fire Prevention Open Air Burn Policy to find out about burning regulations.

I’ve noticed that quite often a fire engine responds with an ambulance to medical calls, why do you do that?

In many instances, the fire engine is closer to the alarm than an ambulance. Fire engines in the City Of Chesapeake are staffed with trained and equipped medical personnel who can begin treatment before the ambulance arrives. We also automatically respond an engine company on those alarms that are serious in nature and may require more staffing than the two medics on an ambulance.

I've noticed Chesapeake Firefighters shopping in grocery stores, does the city pay for their meals?

No, the city does not pay for their meals. Chesapeake Firefighters work a 24-hour shift, and must prepare their own meals. The company is in-service and maintains communications by radio and will respond to alarms from the store.

I would like information on becoming a Chesapeake Firefighter.

See Fire Department Employment page. Find out if applications are being accepted, check the Eligibility Requirements to Participate in the Firefighter Entrance Exam (from the Human Resources Department) or see Eligibility Requirements (pdf file).

If you are eligible to take the exam, sign up to be notified of the next exam.

Watch for upcoming information on the Training page, which will provide curriculum and time line.

I noticed a Chesapeake fire engine going down the street with the lights on and siren sounding, then they turned them off and kept on going down the road, was this driver’s training?

No, the unit was responding to an alarm and was “cancelled enroute” by the officer who arrived first on the scene and determined there was no emergency there. In this instance we suspend the emergency response of remaining units for safety’s sake.

I would like to have a bon fire at my next school, church or other organization’s event. Do I need a permit?

Yes, please contact Fire Prevention at 757-382-6566.

If the Chesapeake Fire Department needed to respond to my house, what is the best way I can make sure they find me?

When speaking with 911 dispatchers, give clear directions if your house is not clearly visible from the roadway and do not hang up until told to do so by the operator. Also, have your house number clearly visible on the front of your house with minimum 3” numbers that are illuminated at night. If you have a roadside mailbox, have your numbers clearly visible on the mailbox. If possible, have someone flag down the responding units as well.

I noticed that on some small fire alarms, there were three fire engines, a Ladder truck, a Chief and an ambulance there, why so many?

Fire doubles in size every 14 seconds for the first 5 to 7 minutes. We respond a “full alarm assignment” to any event that may lead to a fire in a house, apartment or structure. We do this to have all the necessary resources on the scene quickly in the event they are needed during the incident.

Does the Chesapeake Fire Department solicit funds over the phone or door to door?

The Chesapeake Fire Department is a fully funded city department that operates under a formal budget. Chesapeake Firefighters do not solicit funds from citizens. There have been instances where funds were accepted on behalf of fire victims or special circumstances such as Sept. 11th. Please note that these special funds were/are coordinated thru a local banking institution with public notification thru the media.