Fire Department - Burn Permit

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EMERGENCY CALL 911

Contacts

Timothy C. Polky, Fire Chief

Timothy C. Polky, Emergency Management Director

Phone: 372.8581 (non-emergency)

Scope of Services

The Fire Department answers calls for many types of emergencies including fires, alarms, hazardous material spills, smoke investigation, rescues, inspections and other things.

The Fire Department is a call department, meaning that the personnel receive an hourly rate of pay for their time on a call.

We have 40 members on the roster with about 30 who are active. We answer calls from three stations: Tenants Harbor which has Engine 3, Tank 2, Utility 1 and the two ambulances; Port Clyde which has Engine 2 and the forestry truck; Seal Harbor Road, which is our mutual aid station, houses Engine 4 & Tank 3.

Burn Permits

Before you burn anything outside you must obtain a Burning Permit. Permits are available for free at the Town Office during business hours, or by contacting one of the following Fire Officers:

	Timothy Polky	372.8282
	Larry Smith	372.6208
	Mike Smith	596.0640
	Dennis Rackliff	594.7359
	Randy Elwell	372.0602

Burn Permits are available though the State of Maine Online Services. Please note that a fee applies.

Use of Fireworks

The Law

In 2011 the Maine Legislature made changes to the state fireworks laws. The law governing consumer fireworks states: “the legislative body of a municipality may adopt an ordinance to prohibit or restrict the sale or use of consumer fireworks within the municipality .” The Town of St. George has not adopted such an ordinance and therefore the laws of sale and use of fireworks for our municipality are the same as those outlined in the state law.

In summary, regarding restrictions on the use of consumer fireworks, the law states:

1. Consumer fireworks may be used between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., except that on the following dates they may be used between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. the following day:

• July 4th;
• December 31st; and
• The weekends immediately before and after July 4th and December 31st.

2. A person may use consumer fireworks only on that person's property or on the property of a person who has consented to the use of consumer fireworks on that property.

3. A person under 21 years of age may not purchase, use or possess consumer fireworks within the State or present to a person licensed to sell consumer fireworks any evidence of age that is false, fraudulent or not actually the person's own for the purpose of purchasing consumer fireworks.

A person who violates the law is subject to a fine.

Reporting Complaints
Complaints regarding the unlawful sale or use of fireworks should be directed to local law enforcement by calling the non-emergency number at 594-5656. Please do not use 911 for non-emergencies. As required, an officer will be assigned to investigate.

Additional Information
Individuals should refer to Public Law, Chapter 416, LD83, 125th Maine State Legislature - "An Act To Legalize the Sale, Possession and Use of Fireworks" and visit the Office of State Fire Marshal’s Consumer Fireworks webpage for details on the law, prohibited consumer fireworks and procedures for resale licensing.

Use, Storage, Possession and Transport of Explosive Material

The use, storage, possession and transport of explosive (blasting) material is strictly controlled by Maine State statutes and requires a state issued permit. Please refer to the following statues for details:

Contact the office of the State Fire Marshal for additional information.

General Safety Tips

Make sure wood stoves, solid fuel appliances and space heaters are properly installed and used.

Make sure combustibles are not close to heaters.

Make sure chimneys and vents are cleaned and inspected at least annually.

Be aware of snow depth and heights; especially where wall vents are concerned.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Is your house number visible to emergency personnel? If we can’t find you, it may delay our response to you in an emergency.

Are you prepared for a storm or power outage? Do you have enough food and water for a couple days? How about warm clothes or safe heating equipment?

For more information or help with any of the above contact your Fire Department at 372.8581 or visit the Knox County Emergency Management Agency website or call them at 594.5155.

Recruitment

The St. George Fire Department is always open to new members. If you have an interest in helping your neighbors and community we may have a position on our team for you. There are jobs that require you to be able to go into burning buildings and there are jobs like making coffee. We can use people in all areas.

Training

Whatever job you are asked to do, we need to show that we have trained you for that job. Training can be acquired at our weekly sessions on Wednesday nights, at weekend fire schools in varying locales statewide, and at County Fire Academies. There are also schools out of state, such as the Fire Academy in Maryland or the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Alabama.

A complete listing of training activities and meetings are available on the St. George Volunteer Firefighters & Ambulance Association website.

Documents & Ordinances

Visit the Documents page to view the following:

Addressing Ordinance
Firefighters' & Ambulance Association Constitution and By-Laws
Fire Department Organization Chart

Online Services

State Burn Permit (Fee Applies)

Websites of Interest

St George Volunteer Firefighters & Ambulance Association

Maine Forest Service

State Fire Marshal

State of Maine - Consumer Fireworks

Photo of St. George Fire Truck