|
Frequently asked questions about the Pembroke Pines Fire Department Q: Are there current job opportunities with the Pembroke Pines Fire Department? A: The Pembroke Pines Fire Department hires throughout the year on an as needed basis. The PPFD utilizes the Municipal Employment Screening and Hiring program (M.E.S.H.) to create a list of eligible candidates for hire. For more information on M.E.S.H., visit www.meshprogram.com . Once a list is created, the hiring process takes approximately ninety days to complete. Each candidate will partake in an oral interview, an application and review process, a background check, a polygraph test, and a medical examination. The City of Pembroke Pines website maintains an up to date list of all available employment opportunities with the City. Job listings and employment applications may be found at http://www.ppines.com/humanres/jobs.html Q: What are the Fire Department’s business hours and how do I contact someone? A: All fire stations are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For emergencies, dial 911 and you will be connected with the City of Pembroke Pines dispatch center. For general questions, a non-emergency number is available as well, (954) GET-HELP or 438-4357. Fire Department Administration is located at 9500 Pines Boulevard, Bldg. B, 2nd Floor. Office hours are Monday – Thursday, from 7:00 am to 6:00pm. The business telephone number is (954) 435-6700 Q: What is the Public Protection Classification (ISO Rating) in Pembroke Pines? A: Pembroke Pines Fire Department is proud to be one of a select group of ISO Rated, Class 1 departments. ISO ratings are from 1 – 10, with Class 1 representing the best level of fire protection and Class 10 indicating no recognized level of protection. . ISO ratings are calculated by reviewing a number of factors, including but not limited to, the fire department’s capability to receive and handle fire alarms (dispatch center), fire station locations, average daily staffing levels, the fire pump capacity of apparatus, the type of the equipment carried on the apparatus, the amount of company and facility training, and the overall capacity of the City’s water supply (locations, types, water flow, and maintenance of fire hydrants). As a Pembroke Pines resident or business owner, you should contact your insurance carrier for more information on how ISO ratings can reduce your annual insurance premiums Q: My insurance company is looking for the ISO rating, the distance from the nearest fire hydrant and how close I am to the nearest fire station. Can you provide that information? A: As mentioned above, the Pembroke Pines Fire Department holds an ISO Class 1 ranking. As for distances, most insurance carriers will already have this information however; distances from your home to fire stations may be obtained by utilizing a common mapping program that can be found on the Internet, such as Google Maps or Maps.yahoo.com. Portable GPS devices are able to provide this information as well. Q: How are my property taxes calculated for fire protection? A: The City of Pembroke Pines utilizes a Fire Assessment Fee, which is collected via the county’s tax collector to fund the fire protection service portion of the Fire Department budget. The fee is currently $212.14 per residential unit, and a rate table is utilized for commercial, industrial, and institutional occupancies based on various ranges of square feet. This rate is set annually by the City Commission during the budget planning process. Q: Why does a fire truck show up for a medical emergency? A: The City of Pembroke Pines Fire Department is an ALS (Advanced Life Support) First Responder Agency. This means that every one of our vehicles is staffed by members of our department who are dually certified as Firefighters and Paramedics or EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians). On occasion, a fire truck (Engine or Ladder) may be the closest available unit and will respond along with the next closest available Rescue truck (Ambulance). The goal is to provide our citizens with immediate access to needed advanced medical care and stabilize patients for transport by Rescue. Q: Does it cost anything when I call 911 for an emergency? A: The Pembroke Pines Fire Department responds to all fire and medical calls, vehicle accidents and other services at no cost. With regards to ambulance services (EMS) the Fire Department charges approximately $400 to $600 (dependent upon the level of medical service provided) for transport to the hospital. This is consistent with other cities within the South Florida area. The Fire department accepts most major insurance carriers including Medicare and Medicaid and their partners, however copayments or other fees may apply as dictated by the individual insurer’s policies. Q: If I lock my keys inside my vehicle, will the Fire Department unlock it for me? A: Our department will respond to true emergency situations, such as an infant, pet, or an invalid locked inside a vehicle. We will utilize specialized equipment to gain access inside the vehicle and make every effort not to cause any damage. In some instances requiring immediate access, entry may have to be made by breaking a window. If there is no emergency, our dispatch center will regretfully have to refer you to a locksmith to retrieve your keys. Q: If I have had an emergency, how do I obtain a copy of the incident report? A: For non-medical incidents, such as a house or vehicle fire or a service call, you may obtain a copy of the incident report by using the Citizen’s Action Center link on the City’s website, www.ppines.com. Just compete the online form and the report will be ready in approximately 7 City business days.
For medical incidents,
reports may be obtained at Fire Department Headquarters, 9500 Pines
Boulevard, Building B, 2nd floor during regular City Business
Hours. Calling ahead to Q: Where can I get my blood pressure checked? A: Pembroke Pines Fire Department personnel will be happy to take your blood pressure at any of our fire stations. There is no charge for this service, which is available daily, whenever personnel are at the station. Please keep in mind that there will be occasions when no one will be at the station due to emergencies and training reasons. Q: Where is the closest fire station? A: The City of Pembroke Pines operates six (6) fire stations, strategically located throughout the City. From east to west they are:
Fire Station #33
– 600 SW 72nd Avenue (East side of North Perry Airport) Q: How can I dispose of my used syringes? A: Currently, our department DOES NOT collect used syringes (sharps) at any of our fire stations. The Broward County Health Department operates a sharps exchange program, where residents can obtain free sharps containers and safely dispose of their used hypodermic needles, syringes, and lancets. Some local pharmacies also participate in this program. For more information, visit the Health Department’s website at www.browardchd.org. Q: Does the Fire Department teach safety classes or CPR? A: CPR classes are given during the third week of each month. American Heart Association Heartsaver classes and Healthcare Provider classes are available. Please sign up at Fire Department Headquarters, 9500 Pines Boulevard, Bldg. B, 2nd Floor. There is a nominal materials charge for these classes and certifications normally are good for two years. |