Can CFPD unlock my vehicle?

It depends on the situation. If it is an emergency situation such as a child or animal has been locked in the vehicle, CFPD will be happy to assist. 

I have a hard to reach smoke detector, how do I replace the batteries?

Cottleville crews are happy to assist citizens with checking and replacing batteries in their smoke detectors. Complete the Smoke Detector Service Request form and a crew will make contact with you to set up a date and time to check and replace batteries. 

How do I know which Fire District services my home or business?

You can go to lookups.sccmo.org/assessor   

How do I dispose of an expired fire extinguisher?

If it has a metal top it can be refilled by a fire extinguishing service, this will save you money from having to purchase a new. If it has a plastic top it can be thrown away, it is not an issue to put in the regular trash. 

What is the difference between a fire department and a fire district?

Fire Departments are part of a municipal government and are funded by the general revenue of the city. They are over seen by the same municipal council that over sees all city departments, and their service area falls within their municipal boundaries. Districts are special taxing agencies falling under the Missouri 321 Statutes that service one or more municipalities as well as unincorporated county. Their funding is derived from personal property taxes collected within district boundaries. Fire Districts are over seen by a board of directors elected at large by the citizens of the district. They are not part of any municipal or county government.

Can you install a car seat?

Cottleville Fire Protection District has a certified car seat installation technician. Installations are limited to residents of the District and are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 636-447-6655 Ext. 8710.  For those outside of the Cottleville District, St. Charles County Ambulance District offers this service and can be contacted at 636-344-7600.

Why do I need a carbon monoxide detector?

Carbon monoxide detectors are definitely worth the investment. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that combines with red blood cells 250 times faster than oxygen. It can affect pets, the young, elderly, or persons with health conditions much more quickly than a healthy adult. Without a carbon monoxide detector, there is no way for someone to know if the deadly gas is present.

Where should I place a carbon monoxide detector?

Carbon monoxide detectors should be placed according to the manufacturers recommendation, much the same as a smoke detector. You should avoid placing them next to gas fired appliances, keep them away from air vents, *keep them out of void spaces, place one on each floor of the home; they need to be near sleeping areas. Note:* Void spaces for this purpose include the area where the wall and ceiling meet. Keep smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least 18 inches out from where the wall and ceiling meet.

What do firefighters do when they are not fighting a fire?

Fire/Rescue training, emergency medical services training, hydrant testing, fire hose tests, business inspections, station tours, community presentations and displays, and station maintenance to name a few things.

Can I fill my pool/spa with water from the fire hydrant?

This is something that the Water Department does not allow.

I have heard that children may not hear smoke detectors while they are sleeping. Is this true?

Recent reports have shown that many times children do not hear smoke detectors whether their doors are open or closed. Studies have also shown that if children do wake up, they do not act in accordance with what they were taught. The only way to ensure a proper response from your children is to set up and practice Exit Drills In The Home. This would include setting off smoke alarms at night when children are sleeping as further practice. We recommend at least practicing your exit drill twice a year. For further information, see our Exit Drills In The Home page on this web-site. Remember, practice makes perfect.

Where should smoke detectors be placed in my home?

Outside each sleeping area, inside each bedroom, and on each level of the home. Smoke detectors should not be placed near air registers or vents and should be at least 18 inches away from void spaces i.e. where the wall and ceiling meet. If at all possible, smoke detectors should be hardwired together so that when one sounds they all sound.

Is it true that sleeping with my door shut can give us an extra fifteen minutes to escape a fire?

Sleeping with your door shut can give you up to an extra fifteen minutes to escape a house fire. Having the door closed prevents smoke from readily entering your bedroom and acts as a short term barrier to the fire. In a fire situation, if you cannot get out the door, go to the window and yell or hang something out the window to attract attention. Additionally, placing sheets, towels, clothing, etc. at the bottom of the door will aid in keeping smoke out of the room while you are at the window awaiting rescuers.

Do firefighters rescue cats stuck in trees?

Unfortunately, we are unable get cats down from trees due to the, "non-emergency" situation and the potential dangers it can expose our fire personnel to. We also highly encourage that no one else attempt to do so either due to these same potential risks of serious injuries or even death from a long fall. It is important to realize that cats are not stuck and do not need to be rescued, they will come down when they get hungry. Try to place an open can of cat food at the base of the tree and walk away, chances are good that the cat will come down and investigate when it is ready.

Why do fire trucks respond to medical calls?

Fire trucks respond for a number of reasons:

  • The dispatch center in St. Charles County uses an Emergency Medical Dispatch protocol to assign calls. Depending on the severity assigned, a fire truck is sent because the medically trained crew can provide needed assistance to the two paramedics on the ambulance.
  • No one truly knows how severe the call really is until they arrive on the scene. For your safety, we work from a premise that it's better to be safe and send apparatus than sorry that we don't have the man power on scene to take care of you.
  • Man power is another reason fire trucks respond. Many patients are in locations or are of such a size that two people cannot get the patient to the ambulance. The stretcher alone weighs 90 lbs. This is a concern for the safety of fire/rescue crews as well as the patient.
Why do firefighters perform business inspections?

Business inspections are performed in an effort to cut down on the loss of life and property. Additionally, inspections give firefighters an opportunity to become familiar with buildings in their areas before they respond to one for an emergency.

Which way should I move if an emergency vehicle is approaching?

If you see an emergency vehicle approaching you should pull to the right shoulder of the road.

CFPD is on a Self Insured Health Plan, how do I find Transparency in Coverage Information?

Regence Machine Readable Files

This link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

NWFFT EIN 46-1416156.