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Fire Department

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1. I have a question about my ambulance bill. Who do I call?

Billing questions should be directed to Andres Medical Billing by calling them at 800-244-2345.

2. What are your charges for ambulance service?

We charge a flat fee, plus a mileage charge (Transfer fee) for all levels of care given. The flat fee is $1,720 for City of Sycamore residents, Sycamore Fire Protection District residents and non-residents.

In addition to the ambulance transportation flat fee, we charge a Transfer fee as follows: Sycamore Resident and Sycamore Fire Protection District Transfer fees are $13 per loaded mile, from point of pick up to hospital destination. Non-Resident Transfer fees are $14 per loaded mile, from point of pick up to hospital destination.

Our Treat, No Transport Fee is $200, on occasions when we provide treatment or service to patients not requiring transport to the hospital, and when we provide the following treatments: Oxygen therapy, 12-lead cardiac monitor application, inline nebulizer inhalation treatment, and/or administration of albuterol, oral glucose, glucagon and D-50.

3. How do I obtain a copy of my ambulance medical report?

Medical information by law is considered confidential. If the person requesting the report is the patient or the parent or legal guardian of the patient, a report may be given in person provided proper documentation is submitted. Requests are processed at the Administrative Offices at Fire Station Number 1 during normal business hours. If picking up the report in person, please call ahead at 815-895-4514 with your request, so that the report will be ready when you arrive at the fire station.

4. How do I obtain a copy of a fire report?

Property owners may obtain a copy of their report with proper photo identification. Fire report requests made by individuals other than the property owner, should complete a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) form and submit to the City Clerk’s office. Property owner or occupant requests are processed at the Administrative Offices at Fire Station 1 during normal business hours. If picking up the report in person, please call ahead at 815-895-4514 with your request, so that the report will be ready when you arrive at the fire station.

5. Can I burn leaves and landscape waste within the city limits?

No, the burning of leaves, lawn rakings and landscape waste is prohibited. Such material shall be placed in approved yard waste bags at curbside, with a weight of less than 50 pounds. Branches and limbs shall be tied in bundles no more than 4 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter, not to exceed 50 pounds. The City contracts with a private hauler to collect such yard waste between April 1 and November 30. Recreational and food-related fires are allowed if conducted within commercial/approved containers such as grills. Bonfires require a special permit from the Fire Department.

6. What are the regulations for open burning in unincorporated Sycamore?

Property owners in unincorporated DeKalb County should be aware that open burning is regulated in the State of Illinois (pursuant to Title 35: Environmental Protection, Subtitle B: Air Pollution, Chapter 1: Pollution Control Board, Subchapter i: Open Burning):

• The open burning of garbage (refuse from food) is prohibited in Illinois.
• The open burning of other domicile trash is prohibited within one mile of any municipality of 1,000 population or greater.
• The open burning of landscape waste (leaves, brush, grass, etc.) is prohibited on property within 1,000 feet of any municipality that prohibits landscape burning.

For additional information regarding DeKalb County burning regulations, please contact the DeKalb County Department of Planning, Zoning, and Building at 815-895-7188.

7. What should I do when my carbon monoxide (CO) detector is sounding?

Call 911, a delay in response could have deadly consequences. Please let the 911 Dispatcher know if anyone in the home is ill. If you have questions about purchasing a CO detector, we realize the choices can be overwhelming. Make sure the detector you choose has the UL (Underwriter’s Laboratory) seal.

8. What type of public education programs does the fire department offer?

Our public education presentations include but are not limited to: fire safety tours at the Fire Station, fire safety presentations, and certain special events. Please contact the Sycamore Fire Department administrative office between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays at 815-895-4514 to schedule a tour.

9. Does the Fire Rescue Department inspect Child Safety Seats?

No. However, citizens may contact the Sycamore Police Department at 815-895-3435 to make arrangements to have their child seat inspected.

10. Does the department provide counseling for juvenile fire setters?

Yes. The Sycamore Fire Department has personnel that can offer assistance. For more information, call 815-895-4514 and ask for the Juvenile Fire Setters Fire Setters Program Coordinator.

11. Does the Fire Department service, recharge or dispose of old fire extinguishers?

The Sycamore Fire Department does not service or refill fire extinguishers. The phonebook will list professional fire extinguisher companies that have the proper equipment to service them.

12. How do I become a firefighter?

Information about becoming a firefighter can be obtained in the Employment section of this website.

13. Why do firefighters/emergency medical personnel shop at the local grocery store?

Fire Department personnel work at the Fire Station for a 24 hour period. Due to this work schedule, they are responsible for buying their own groceries and cooking their own meals. Fire Department personnel have permission to perform brief shopping duties at City of Sycamore food establishments. During the shopping activity, they are in constant radio contact and immediately available to respond to emergency calls.

14. Why do firefighters/emergency medical personnel remain on the scene once a medical patient is moved to the back of the ambulance?

Emergency medical care is immediately initiated upon contact with a patient. Many times care is continued when the patient is moved to the ambulance so that the patient can be stabilized. The time spent in the back of the ambulance is used to administer medications, call the hospital and further stabilize injuries.

15. Why do firefighters cut holes in a roof or break windows during firefighting?

During a fire within a building, superheated air and toxic smoke are trapped within the building, making conditions even more dangerous for the occupants and firefighters. In a coordinated fashion, openings are made to the building to relieve this pressure and toxic air so that the fire attack and search and rescue crews can move quickly and safely to extinguish the fire and aid occupants. After the conditions are stabilized, the firefighters will typically place tarps on personal belongings and furniture to protect them from further damage.

16. Is it legal to use fireworks?

In the City of Sycamore it is against City Ordinance to discharge or sell fireworks, unless special criteria outlined by state law apply and the proper permitting is obtained through the City of Sycamore. Each year, many people are injured or killed by recreational fireworks. The best way to prevent these injuries and deaths is to leave the fireworks to the professionals – attend the local fireworks display. The local fireworks display is conducted by licensed professionals that undergo training and pre-show inspections to ensure safety.

17. Who do I contact with questions regarding fire prevention matters or code/permit/plan review questions?

Initial contact regarding these matters can be made to the City of Sycamore Community Development Department. Additionally, the Fire Department may be contacted to obtain further information. Questions regarding Knox Boxes can be immediately directed to the Fire Department. Questions regarding water flow calculations, flushing/testing of water service lines, or other water system issues can be directed to the City of Sycamore Water Department.

18. What is a Knox Box and how do I get an application?

A Commercial Knox Box is a case-hardened, tamper-proof steel box that is purchased by a building owner for installation on the exterior of the building. The Fire Department is the only party that maintains a key to the exterior door on the box. Within the interior of the box, the building owner would provide and store any keys that the Fire Department could use to gain access to the interior of a building without having to force entry, thus preventing damage to doors or windows during normal operations. The City of Sycamore requires Knox Boxes in all new or remodeled commercial structures.

Ordering a Commercial Knox Box

You can order a Knox box online. Please see the Fire Prevention tab for more detail.

The Knox Company will not sell a product without authorization by the Fire Department in order to maintain the highest levels of security.

Residential Knox Box

A Residential Knox-Box is a 4-inch by 5-inch safe-like device that is designed as a rapid entry system allowing secure emergency access for the fire department. When a fire breaks out, or there is a medical emergency, a Knox-Box device allows for immediate entry into buildings and properties without forced entry damage or delay.

The residential Knox Boxes are designed to be installed over the top a resident's front entry door. When installed, an extra key for the front door (provided by the resident) is placed inside the Knox-Box. The Sycamore Fire Department will then secure the Knox Box with a unique key. Only the Sycamore Fire Department has this key, and it is securely located in the Department's fire apparatus. If an emergency arises, the responding crews are able to access the Knox Box for the house keys to allow entry into the house without forcing entry or waiting for a key holder.

The Sycamore Fire Department Residential Knox-Box Loan Program is only open to residents of the City of Sycamore and the Sycamore Fire Protection District with existing medical or physical conditions which could render them unable to open a locked door in an emergency. There are limited quantities of Knox Boxes (25) available for the program and the Knox Boxes will be loaned on a first-come, first-served basis. All Knox Boxes purchased for the loan program are the property of the Sycamore Fire Department and as residents participating in the program no longer need the Knox Box, Fire Department personnel will retrieve them and place them back into inventory for future distribution.

If you are interested in applying for a Knox Box as part of the Sycamore Fire Department Residential Knox-Box Loan Program or would like information on purchasing your own Residential Knox-Box, please contact Deputy Fire Chief Art Zern at 815-895-4514.

19. What are the basic requirements for a fire alarm/fire sprinkler system?

Both the City of Sycamore Community Development Department and Fire Department can answer questions regarding fire alarm/fire sprinkler systems. The City of Sycamore enforces the 2015 International Codes with local amendments.