Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
Do You Keep Your Bay Doors Closed?
I Just started volunteering at a department 40 minutes away that I knew little about previously. I've noticed on numerous visits to all 4 stations that every apparatus bay door was up at each one. I was able to walk inside each station in plain clothes. Once I walked right through the bay and into the living quarters only to discover everyone was out on the engine staging at some planned event. When I returned 30 minutes later to find them in quarters, one of the FFs told me to go wait for the captain inside as if he were suspicious of me looking at one of the trucks. Some of the stations also have ALS ambulances assigned there.
This makes me very nervous considering today's climate and the fact that I am very security obsessed at home. I hate the idea of people being able to walk in and out or sneak around. Perhaps hide and wait for us to return. I cringe as I run scenarios in my head.
I know the department in my county, which I grew up around, has a policy requiring the doors be kept down at all times. I also know of a foiled plan to steal a fire engine in this county, an incident where a bunch of bunker gear was stolen out of a rural station, and recently a teen had a joy ride with lights and siren in a reserve engine.
So the question: What's your policies, and and also your habits? I am new at the department and feel awkward asking questions, but this is a dangerous practice.
This makes me very nervous considering today's climate and the fact that I am very security obsessed at home. I hate the idea of people being able to walk in and out or sneak around. Perhaps hide and wait for us to return. I cringe as I run scenarios in my head.
I know the department in my county, which I grew up around, has a policy requiring the doors be kept down at all times. I also know of a foiled plan to steal a fire engine in this county, an incident where a bunch of bunker gear was stolen out of a rural station, and recently a teen had a joy ride with lights and siren in a reserve engine.
So the question: What's your policies, and and also your habits? I am new at the department and feel awkward asking questions, but this is a dangerous practice.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Hoey on -
The answer I have is no, If we are not here we would not ever leave them open. We do encourage the public and kids to drop be when we are here and they can take tours and talk, I think being open that way is important but leaving them open with equipment and other issues no bad idea
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Permalink Reply by Rescue Engine 2923 on -
Likewise to Dans post. If we are at the station, we welcome anyone to stop on by for information, tours, applications, answers to questions, etc.
If we are not at the firehouse, on a firecall, or the trucks are out being fueled up or on a drill, they bay doors are shut when the apparatus goes on the pad outside and the doors are locked. With terrorism being a bigger factor than it was now a days, we must do this, even though we did it before 9-11.
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Permalink Reply by Matt Cwikiel on -
Agreed with both posts. Having the doors shut in all cases with exception when you have personell present in the engine bay; is always a good idea because it minimizies the possibilty for appartus and gear to be stolen. Just another insurance saver.
If the public wants tours, information, etc there is always the: website, phone number, door, and that old fashioned thing called the mail
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Permalink Reply by UtilityCow on
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I understand being open to the public, but they can ring the bell at the front door.
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Permalink Reply by GelorupRookie on -
We have been robbed a few times and we never leave the station open unless we are their doing something...
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Permalink Reply by Todd on -
Honestly we didn't up until a few weeks ago when a department in a nearby county had both their tankers stolen.
Now the bay doors have to be shut whenever there is nobody in the bay area, and the front door to the station is supposed to be locked anytime the station is unoccupied.
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Permalink Reply by Brett Bennell on -
All of our stations have security systems so as were leaving we hit the button to arm it, the doors close automatically as we leave. To get back in we have coded swipe cards for each firefighter , so the security company knows who's opening the station, we also have the same system on our key safe.
While were in station people are free to come and visit but they can't just walk in as no doors are open.
In the past we've had cars, equipment , money stolen , Its sad it has to be that way but its just the way society is these days.
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Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on -
Our policy is to shut the doors when responding. (remote garage door opener in each truck) Sometimes this happens, sometimes it doesn't. I know the EMS units here have their drug box locked with a KNOX box type key and the dispatch uses a digital code via the radio to release the key. Keeps it more accountable. I think with the building being funded by the public it should be considered a public building. This theory is only meant for a situation of having firefighter supervision in the area.
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Permalink Reply by Terry Lambert on -
As long as someone is in the station, are bay doors are open, weather permiting. But when no one is around, alll the doors are closed.
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I don't know about your ambulances, but I know I could get to the narcotics in thirty seconds or less with only a screwdriver. You people gotta think like a bad guy. I like that idea of a remote control key lock box, but I would worry about it not working that one time you need it. Do you still count your drugs every day?
It doesn't matter what area you are in or who your neighbors are, we are still a target. The public will understand that the bay must be closed for security purposes. Not every station has an office or public entrance. Some front or bay doors open into living areas where FFs are lounging in (departement issue) shorts after a shower or a call. It would be best to control people entering the station and change the public's view of the fire station from just another county or city office (unless you have an office at the front door and provide someone there during business hours) to a place where people live. I'm not suggesting we stop assisting folks that walk up, just control their access.
FWIW this is a career department that has a volunteer program.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Bruce on -
We are the same. As long as there is someone at the station, the doors are open to the public for tours and just general conversation. Being that I belong to the Oldest Volunteer Fire Company in Continuous Service, we get a lot of outside visitors. When we respond to a call where noone is in station, the doors are automatically closed by the driver as he exits the the station. We also have the Fire Marshal's Office at the rear of the station which is open to the public during working hours. We have upgraded our entry doors so that we can track all that enters through the doors. Some time in the future, camera's will be added. Stay Safe.
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