How do I sign up for CPR classes?
Call Humboldt Bay Fire at (707) 441-4000. For more information on our CPR classes, click here.
What do I do with old gasoline/oil/paint that I don’t want?
Call the Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at (707) 441-2005 or Humboldt County Environmental Health at (707) 268-2225.
How do I get information about the Youth Fire-setter Program?
Call our Deputy Fire Chief at (707) 441-4000.
How do I get a burn permit?
Call North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (AQMD) at (707) 443-3093. They are located at 707 L Street, Eureka, CA 95501. For burn day status call 1-866-287-6329 or click here.
Who do I call about a fire extinguisher that doesn’t work?
To have your fire extinguisher serviced you can call Eureka-Humboldt Fire Extinguisher at 707-822-2517 or Eureka Oxygen at 707-443-2228. You can purchase a new extinguisher at most hardware stores.
Who do I call if I have problems with bees?
Humboldt Bay Fire does not remove bees unless there is imminent danger to a person. If such a situation exists, firefighters destroy the bees and the hives. To have bees removed, call the local Swarm Dispatch at 707-599-7973, or visit humboldtbeekeepers.org for more information.
Who do I call to get sand bags?
Sand bags can be purchased at most Feed Stores or Hardware Stores
Why do so many fire engines respond to incidents?
HBF units are dispatched according to information received by the 9-1-1 operator. The Humboldt Bay Fire firefighters are prepared to deal with the worst that could happen at any time. They are fast, well-trained and professional in their response.
A computer selects the closest unit to respond to an incident. The fire department’s philosophy is to get our firefighters there as soon as possible.
There may be three fire department vehicles on the scene for what appears to be a “simple” incident. However, in emergency services we have learned that if we assume something is “simple,” we can be horribly mistaken. Additionally, we respond as fast as we can prepared to encounter the worst.
Sometimes fire engines with full lights and sirens go through a red light at intersections and then, after they go through, they turn off their lights and slow down, why is that?
It may be the case that several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, surveyed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call.
Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go “Code 3” (lights and siren) through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on.
Why do I see firefighters cutting holes in the roof of a building on fire?
This is called “venting the roof”. There are several reasons for this practice. Dangerous gases and dark smoke accumulate in a burning building. Unlike the movie versions of fires, it is impossible for firefighters to see in such an environment. When a hole is made in the roof because the building is “vented,” the smoke and gases escape because heat and smoke rise. It makes it much easier for the firefighters in the building to see. It also reduces the possibilities of backdraft and flashover, and drastically increases the survivability of the interior conditions for any people who may be trapped inside. Also, fires can spread into the attic space of a burning building. Heat and smoke rise into the attic where the fire can move quickly. Firefighters may go ahead of the fire on a roof, cut holes to access the attic, and stop the fire from spreading through the attic.
Why do you block extra traffic lanes at auto accidents?
Blocking extra lanes keep our personnel and patients safe while working on the scene of a traffic accident by preventing moving traffic from getting too close.
Why should I not drive over fire hose?
You should not run over firehose because the hose can be damaged and it will interrupt the water supply to a firefighter actively using water to fight fire, possibly causing injury or death. The fire hose is the lifeline of a firefighter when they are fighting a fire.
Why do I sometimes see Firefighters and Fire Engines at the grocery store while on duty?
Your Humboldt Bay Firefighters work at least 48 consecutive hours on duty at a time, and must supply their own food. Sometimes, crews will pitch in to eat dinner together, and will go to the store in between calls or other duties to get the supplies they need to keep their crew fed. If you see us at the store, feel free to come say hello!
Why do I sometimes see Firefighters at the gym while on duty?
Physical fitness is an important part of our crew members’ preparedness to respond to emergency calls. Firefighters are allotted an hour of workout time while on duty, so you may see them at community gyms or pools.
How do I schedule a Car Seat check?
To schedule a car seat check by a licensed technician, call our headquarters office at 707-441-4000. Our Administrative Assistant will help you schedule an appointed with an on-duty technician. Please be aware, car seat check availability is contingent on on-duty crew availability and is subject to change due to emergency calls.
How do I report weeds or rubbish I feel pose a fire hazard?
Submit a Weed Abatement Complaint, found here.
Which beaches am I allowed to have a campfire or bonfire on?
Big Lagoon County Park Beach in Trinidad, California (30 inches in diameter or less as long as it's 100 feet seaward and away from vegetation/dunes and other combustibles.)
Clam Beach County Park in McKinleyville, California
Mad River Beach County Park in Arcata, California
What types of fires do not require a burn permit?
Cooking fires, warming fires, or ceremonial fires.
How do I obtain an incident report?
Call 707-441-4000 or email info@hbfire.org. Please be ready to provide the date, time, and location of the incident, and/or as much information as possible.
Will I be billed for a fire department response?
Generally, we do not bill for emergency services. *There are exceptions. If you have specific questions about cost for service, please call or email us at 707-441-4000 or info@hbfire.org.
Why are there 3 personnel on a fire engine?
There is 1 Captain, 1 Engineer, and 1 Firefighter on each of our apparatus. Each of these positions performs a specific function and duty on the medical or fire ground and allows us to serve our community at the highest level possible.
Why does the fire department and an ambulance go to a medical aid?
Because of the location of our stations around our jurisdiction, it is often faster for HBF to get on scene than the ambulance. All of our personnel are an EMTs or Paramedics, trained to bring the Emergency Room to you. By combining our personnel with ambulance personnel, we ensure there is enough manpower on scene to handle whatever the emergency is, including cardiac arrests and other emergencies that require numerous personnel working in tandem to save a life.
What do I do if I see lights or hear sirens from a fire engine coming from behind me?
Pull over to the right side of the road as it is safe to do so.
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