Frequently Asked Questions

How can I become a Volunteer Firefighter?

Becoming a volunteer firefighter is one of the most rewarding and selfless decisions you can make. Briaroaks Fire Department is always accepting applications. We have an ONLINE APPLICATION that you can use to apply for a volunteer position with us. The application can also be downloaded and turned in at any regular Tuesday meeting.

What kind of training is required to become a volunteer firefighter?

Briaroaks Fire Department provides the most current training to all new recruits.  Initial Fire training includes Introductory certification through the Texas State Firemen's and Fire Marshal's Association.  Initial Medical training includes certification as an Emergency Care Attendant through the Texas Department of State Health Services. All required training provided by the Briaroaks Fire Department at no cost to the participants. ADDITIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES Besides local training, there are many other opportunities that exist and others that will come available throughout the year. Here are just a few of the training opportunities available to firefighters in Texas. TDEM Hazardous Materials TrainingThe Texas... Read More

Can I have a control burn?

Control burns in Johnson County, Texas are allowed as long as there is not a burn ban.  You must have water available and someone must be with the fire at all times. If you plan to conduct any outdoor burning, when a burn ban is not in effect, please contact Johnson County Fire Dispatch to give them your name, a good contact phone number, address where the burn will be conducted, and at least a 24-hour notice. You can reach Johnson County Fire Dispatch at (817) 357-8800.  Further information about the Texas rules and laws related to outdoor burning can be found here: Texas Outdoor Burning  

Do you fill swimming pools?

No, we do not fill or drain swimming pools, tanks, or ponds of any type. You can contact your local municipality or water provider for more information about the water in your swimming pool.

Can you refill fire extinguishers?

No, we are not able to refill extinguishers. You can purchase a good home fire extinguisher from Amazon or other retailers for around $20.00. These types of fire extinguishers are typically not rechargeable. If you currently have a rechargeable fire extinguisher, you would need to find a private business that can service and refill them for you. You can distinguish between two types of fire extinguishers:

• Rechargeable
  This type of fire extinguishers has metal heads and Charge/Recharge-labeled gauges.
  
  
• Disposable
  Unlike rechargeable fire extinguishers, these units have plastic heads and Full/Empty-labeled gauges.

Why do your fire trucks use lights and sirens, even in the middle of the night when there is no traffic?

The purpose of emergency warning equipment is to let drivers and pedestrians know that an emergency vehicle is on the way to an emergency. Texas state law as well as our standard operating procedures require that our drivers utilize emergency warning equipment during emergency response regardless of the time of day. We also encourage our drivers to use good judgment in determining whether emergency response is necessary in an effort to limit any inconvenience to the public.

Why does a fire truck come when I only requested an ambulance?

A fire truck will sometimes arrive at an incident first because it is the closest emergency unit to the emergency scene and we are committed to getting help to your location as fast as possible. All emergency response personnel are well-trained in providing Emergency Medical Services. We have several personnel trained to the Paramedic level and we carry the same equipment found on an Advanced Life Support ambulance.

Although we do not provide patient transportation, we do provide advanced life support until the ambulance arrives for transport. Sometimes our emergency responders even ride in with the ambulance crew to the hospital to assist with medical care.

Why do you send so many fire vehicles to a fire, especially a small fire?

Each fire truck carries a specific complement of equipment and personnel. There are a number of specialized roles that firefighters undertake at the scene of a fire, and firefighting is a very labor-intensive activity. Firefighters must be rotated out periodically in order to change out air bottles and physically rest to maintain the ability to work on the fireground.

For this reason, it is essential to have enough firefighters on the scene of an incident so that our personnel can adequately recover between assignments. Even a small fire can be unpredictable and can become large and out of control quickly unless sufficient resources are available.

How can I get a copy of a fire incident or medical incident report?

You can arrange to receive an incident report by filling out our Report Request Form online. If you only need one report and email is acceptable, we will provide the incident report to you free of charge. If multiple reports are needed or if the report must be mailed, then fees may apply. Patient Reports are confidential by law and can only be released in accordance with the provisions of HIPAA.

How can I get a smoke detector from the Fire Department?

The Briaroaks Fire Department purchases a limited number of smoke alarms for distribution to residents who may otherwise not be able to afford them. Please submit a contact form with your request and someone will be in contact to discuss the options with you. The fire department can also assist with changing batteries if needed.

How do I check my smoke alarm?

Each smoke alarm has a test button. Press the test button and hold it for a few seconds. If it is working correctly, the alarm will sound and will automatically stop when you release the button. Remember to test your smoke detector monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, it needs to be replaced with a new unit.

Where can I go to have my child safety seat inspected or installed?

The Briaroaks Fire Department does not offer the child safety seat installation and inspection program. To find an inspection station in your area, please  check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) by calling 1-866-SEAT-CHECK or visiting https://www.seatcheck.org. 

When I am driving and I am approached by an emergency vehicle, what should I do?

When you notice an approaching emergency vehicle, immediately pull to the right and stop. If you are approaching an intersection and see an emergency vehicle that is approaching the intersection from behind you or another direction, come to a stop, preferably one or two car lengths back from the intersection if possible and wait for the emergency vehicle to pass. Use caution when starting back on your way to ensure the intersection is clear and that you have the right of way.

Does the fire department do free blood pressure checks?

Yes. Any Briaroaks Fire Station will gladly check your blood pressure without an appointment, provided that personnel are available at the fire station you are visiting.

• If you live closer to Station 1
  please call (817) 295-9539 to see if anyone is at the station
  
  
• If you are closer to Station 2
  Please call (817) 295-5137

How many smoke alarms do I need in my home?

One smoke alarm isn’t enough! You should have at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom and in the hallway outside each bedroom. A typical three-bedroom home would need at least four properly installed smoke alarms to provide a reasonable amount of protection for your family. Smoke rises, so the best place to install an alarm is on the ceiling or high on an inside wall approximately 6-8 inches below the ceiling.

Anytime your smoke alarm goes off, check your home thoroughly. If you see or smell smoke, immediately get out of your home and call 911. Ensure that other family members and pets are also evacuated from the home.

Why is my smoke alarm making a funny chirping sound?

If the detector is chirping and no sign of fire or smoke is present, replace the battery as soon as possible. Without a working battery, a smoke detector can't do its job and the risk of dying in a fire increases greatly. Smoke detector batteries should be changed when you adjust your clock for daylight savings time in the Spring and Fall.

How big an area does the Briaroaks Fire Department cover?

We serve about 10,000 residents throughout more than 30 square miles of mostly unincorporated northern Johnson County.  The Briaroaks Fire Department’s primary response area is divided by I-35W into District 173 (west of I-35) and District 273 (east of I-35). Each district has a fire station, multiple assigned fire apparatus, and designated responders for calls in each district. This coverage map shows the primary area responded to by the Briaroaks Fire Department. ... Read More

Who do I contact if I would like to submit a compliment or complaint about the service I received?

You can email the Fire Chief directly at FireChief@briaroaksfire.com or contact either station to speak with an officer. We will do our best to assist you in resolving the issue. You can also submit a commendation or complaint using this online form.

Can the Briaroaks Fire Department assist with some unused prescription medication disposal?

Each Briaroaks Fire Station has a box mounted on the front of the station containing secure mailer envelopes to be used for prescription medication disposal. Please take as many envelopes as needed and follow the instructions on the envelope. The envelopes are postage paid and there is no charge for the disposal. These envelopes are only for unused medication. They are not to be used for other medical waste disposal or for any other purpose.

What is the Briaroaks Fire District’s ISO rating?

The ISO (Insurance Services Organization) is an advisory organization and the principal provider of rating and statistical information used by the insurance industry in the United States. Quality of public fire protection is one of the items of statistical information the ISO provides to the insurance industry. Under the PPC (Public Protection Class) program, the Briaroaks Fire Department has achieved a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the most desirable rating. This has resulted in comparatively lower insurance rates for homeowners in our district compared with those in a higher PPC classification. To... Read More