Fire Prevention

Jason Francis was promoted to Deputy Fire Chief in 2016 after being with the Whitehouse Fire Department for 5 years. He is a nationally registered Paramedic, Firefighter II, Instructor, Investigator and Inspector. Previous to his Whitehouse Deputy Chief position Jason spent 21 years with the Monclova Fire Department with 7 of those years as an EMS Captain. Jason currently lives in Whitehouse with his wife Lyndsey. He can be reached at 419-877-0363 or by email at: jfrancis@whitehouseoh.gov

The goal of the Whitehouse Fire Prevention Bureau is to make Whitehouse a safer place for residents and businesses.  This is achieved through conducting fire safety inspections annually.  This process is meant to be a positive experience, bringing awareness of hazardous situations.

Fire inspection steps include:

  • An on-site inspection by the Fire Inspector

  • Thirty (30) days are given to correct any non-life threatening violations, however, life-threatening violations must be corrected immediately.

  • Re-inspections are conducted and prior safety concerns are checked

Helpful hints for Whitehouse businesses (this should be used as a guideline and not considered as an all inclusive list of possible violations):

  • Extinguishers must be maintained and tagged annually, and hung securely in a visible location.

  • Extension cords are only meant to be used on a “temporary” basis.  Using them in a permanent situation can overdraw electrical outlets and cause fires.  A safer alternative is using a fused power strip.

  • Electrical panels need 36 inches of clearance around them.  They should not have any missing knockouts.

  • Combustible materials should be stored appropriately and away from ignition sources.  They should not be stored within 18 inches of the ceiling in a sprinkled building and 24 inches in a non-sprinkled building.

  • Compressed gas cylinders should be chained to the wall or “nested”.

  • Cooking hood/duct systems need to be serviced semi-annually.  A copy of the report must be given to the fire department.

  • Exit signs and emergency lighting should be functional at all times.

  • Exit doors and exit paths need to be maintained and free from obstructions at all times.

  • Sprinkler heads need 18 inches of clearance.

  • Smoke detector batteries should be changed twice a year.  A good rule of thumb is to change them when adjusting clocks for daylight savings time.

  • Buildings need to be properly marked with an address sign that can be seen from the road.

  • If there are any changes in management or key holders, the appropriate information needs to be forwarded to the fire department.

All families should have fire escape drills and practice them regularly!  In the event of a real emergency this may help save a life.  Be sure to have at least two escape routes out of each room.  Have a designated meeting area where all members of the family will meet when out of the house and REMEMBER… once you’ve escaped, never re-enter the house!

If you would like to have a home fire safety inspection conducted by the Fire Prevention Bureau, please contact us.  This is a free service to our community!

Helpful safety hints:

  • A reflective sign is useful in the event of an emergency when firefighters may need to quickly identify an address.

  • Smoke detectors save lives – it’s a proven fact!  Detectors are needed on every level of a home, especially in the hallway near bedrooms.  Be sure to change the batteries at least twice a year (do this when you change your clocks for daylight savings time).

  • Fire escape ladders should be located in all bedrooms on the second story of a two-story home.

  • Fire extinguishers should be kept in the kitchen and garage.

  • Extension cords overdraw electrical outlets.  A safer alternative is a fused power strip.

  • Chimneys should be cleaned annually.

  • Do not store any combustibles within 36 inches of your furnace or hot water heater

Please… feel free to contact the Whitehouse Fire Prevention Bureau at 419-877-0363 if you have any questions or would like to schedule a home fire safety inspection.  We’re here to help you!