Bike Helmet Program
Make sure everyone in your family has a bike helmet. Bike helmets are sold at Plymouth Fire Station III, 3300 Dunkirk Ln. N., on the first and third Thursdays, 6 – 8 p.m., from May through August. Bike helmets are available for $10 and $12. Multi-sport helmets are available for $15. Youth to adult sizes are available. Call 763-509-5198 for more information.
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Car Seat Check-up Program
Car crashes are the leading cause of death for kids age 14 and under. In the state sponsored Boost America Campaign, 92 percent of children’s car seats inspected were found to be improperly installed or not used correctly.
Car Seat Check Ups: Plymouth provides car seat check-ups for residents by appointment. Cost is $20. Appointments are available on Tuesdays from 9am - 11am, Wednesdays at 7pm and Thursdays 1pm - 3pm. Call 763-509-5198 to schedule an appointment.
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Adopt a Hydrant Program
Plymouth Fire Department asks residents and businesses to adopt the fire hydrant in their neighborhood. During the winter, they are asked to keep it clear of ice and snow, and shovel a three-foot radius around it. In the summertime, they need to mow around it.
Keeping fire hydrants accessible substantially reduces the amount of time it takes firefighters to get into service when responding to a fire call in their neighborhood. In doing so, neighbors provide a valuable service to the community. More than 450 households have registered the hydrant that they have adopted.
January through March, firefighters visit one to two adopted hydrants a week. If they are shoveled out, the family that adopted it will win a gift certificate to a Plymouth restaurant. To the families that participate in the Adopt-a-Hydrant Program, the Fire Department extends its deepest gratitude.
Plymouth Fire Department would like to thank the local sponsors of our 2012 Adopt a Hydrant Prize Patrol: Arby’s, Chili’s, Coldstone Creamery, Cowboy Jacks, Cub, Culver’s, Jimmy Johns, Kobe, Latuff’s, Lund’s, Old Chicago, and Pump It Up.
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9-Volt Lithium Batteries Available for $5.70
Take the worry out of annual smoke detector maintenance. Invest in 9-volt lithium batteries that that have a seven to ten year shelf life. Batteries Plus, 4404 Nathan Ln., is providing residents with the opportunity to purchase 9-volt lithium batteries for smoke detectors for $5.70 a battery. Residents need to mention the Smokebuster Program to receive the discount.
Families who buy lithium batteries should continue to test their smoke detectors monthly and vacuum them periodically to make sure that the detectors are working. A charged battery will not fix a faulty detector.
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Carbon Monoxide Detectors
State law requires that all single and multi-family homes in Minnesota have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector within ten feet of bedroom areas.
Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless, odorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen throughout the body. Sources of carbon monoxide include:
- Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters;
- Leaking chimneys and furnaces;
- Back-drafting from furnaces;
- Gas water heaters;
- Woodstoves and fireplaces;
- Gas stoves; and
- Automobile exhaust from cars in attached garages.
Infants, elderly people and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be affected more quickly by carbon monoxide. At lower levels, carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms headaches, dizziness, weakness and fatigue. At higher levels, or with prolonged exposure, it can cause confusion, disorientation, impaired vision and coordination, brain damage, coma and death.
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Bike Helmet Reward Program
Bicycle crashes are the leading cause of summer visits to the emergency room. More than 400,000 kids age 14 and under are injured each year and approximately 300 kids die from their injuries.
Starting in April and continuing throughout the summer, Plymouth police officers and firefighters are on the look out for safe cyclists. If a police officer or firefighter spots a biker, rollerblader or scooter rider wearing a helmet, he or she may reward the person with a coupon for a free treat at one of Plymouth’s grocery stores or fast food restaurants.
The Plymouth bike helmet reward program is supported by Culver’s, Burger King, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Cold Stone Creations, Co. Rd. 24/Hwy. 55 Holiday Station-Store and Cub Foods.
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Children Have an Identity Program (CHAD)
To ensure rapid identification of children in emergencies, parents and guardians of small children are encouraged to post a CHAD sticker, listing identification information about their child, under the cushion or center back of the child's safety seat. Stickers can also be placed inside the shell of children’s bicycle helmets.
Plymouth parents and grandparents can pick up their complimentary CHAD sticker at the Plymouth Fire offices, located on the second floor of the Public Safety Building, 3400 Plymouth Blvd., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
If your organization would like to obtain a supply of the stickers to make available to child caregivers, call 763-509-5198.
The CHAD safety seat child identification program was developed as a result of a traffic crash involving a 13-month-old boy named Chad. The babysitter who was driving was killed. Chad was injured, but no one at the scene could determine his identity. Only because an emergency room nurse recognized the child could his parents be quickly located and his injuries be treated.
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File of Life Program
File of Life Program Flyer (PDF)
The File of Life program is a card that contains vital personal medical information that is easily accessible by fire, police and ambulance personnel in the event of a medical emergency. Call 763-509-5147 to request free File of Life cards.
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Fire Station Tours & Presentations
 The Fire Departments welcomes the opportunity to speak with audiences about safety, and fire and injury prevention. The department also welcomes groups interested in touring the fire station. To schedule a tour or an appearance call, 763-509-5198.
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Home Alone Workshops
Guide for Stay at Home Kids (PDF)
Many children in our community let themselves in or out of empty houses and supervise themselves for an hour or more each day. When making the decision to become a 'Home Alone' family, a child's age is not the only consideration. Some children might function well alone at home while others might not be ready to assume the responsibility of self-care. The Plymouth Police and Fire department's Home Alone Workshop will help parents:
- Evaluate if their child is ready to be home alone;
- Prepare their homes so that they are safe and ready for a stay-at-home child; and
- Create house rules to keep kids safe and the family working together.
The workshop is $5 for each family member attending. Children must be in at least fourth grade to participate. Call 763-509-5198 to learn about upcoming workshops.
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Neighborhood Block Parties
If your neighborhood is hosting a block party, the Fire Department would enjoy visiting with you during your party. Please schedule at least two weeks in advance. The schedule fills up quickly. Call 763-509-5198 to make a request.
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Smokebusters for Families Program
Imagine how excited your kids would be when a big red fire engine pulls up and firefighters come inside to help you plan for safety. That's exactly what happens during a Smokebusters visit.
Firefighters make scheduled visits to Plymouth homes to help residents test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, develop home fire escape plans and review home fire safety practices. The average visit takes less than 30 minutes. If the home needs additional smoke detectors or new batteries, firefighters will provide them to the residents at no charge.
Some families choose to join with their neighbors to reserve an entire evening for their neighborhood. Four homes can be visited in one evening. At the end of the evening, firefighters set up their truck so families can get a close look at both the inside and outside of the truck. To schedule a Tuesday evening Smokebusters visit, call 763-509-5198.
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Smokebusters for Seniors Program
Firefighters will visit seniors at their home to test smoke detectors, replace batteries, discuss 9-1-1 and develop a home fire escape plan. The average visit takes less than 30 minutes. Seniors must purchase one 9-volt batteries for each detector in their home. The Smokebusters visit is free.
To schedule a visit, call the Plymouth Fire Department at 763-509-5198.
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