Safety

Fire Protection

The Upper Providence Department of Fire and Emergency Services responds to all types of emergencies and provides fire suppression, hazard rescue, fire investigation, and fire prevention and public safety education. Led by Director Don Stitler, the department standardized the operations of the six volunteer fire companies that serve Upper Providence Township:

To volunteer at any of these companies, please contact Director of Fire and Emergency Services Don Stiteler at 610-933-9179.

Mont Clare Fire Company

Oaks Fire Company

Fire Prevention

Fire Marshal Joshua Overholt oversees several programs designed to help prevent fires in the township, including:

• Annual Fire Inspections for businesses, retail stores, commercial properties, schools, churches, and more to ensure that all safety equipment works properly, especially fire alarms, sprinkler systems, emergency/exit lights, and fire extinguishers.
• Fire and Arson Investigation to determine the cause and origin of all fires within the township and to support the Upper Providence Police Department in investigating fire-related crimes.
• Fire Code Enforcement Plan/Review for all new construction or building alteration projects. The township requires inspections for fire sprinkler and alarm system repair and installation, fuel storage tank installation or removal, and the installation of fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Use & Occupancy Inspections, in conjunction with the building inspector, to review building plans for all fire-related issues.

Fire Prevention and Public Education

The Fire Marshal’s office provides Fire Prevention and Public Education Programs for all township residents and businesses. Stop by the township building for printed information or call Fire Marshal Don Stiteler at 610-933-9179 for more information.

• Smoke Detectors: To keep your family safe, it’s important to have a working smoke detector on each floor of your home. Please be sure they’re equipped with fresh batteries at least twice a year to ensure that they remain in good working order.
• Carbon Monoxide Detectors: It is a good idea to also have a working Carbon Monoxide Detector in your home. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. A Carbon Monoxide detector is not a replacement for proper use of fuel burning appliances, but an excellent backup. If your detector sounds an alarm and you are experiencing symptoms, leave your home immediately and dial 911.

Public Safety Information
Keep your family safe. Download fire safety information in PDF format.

Picking Up the Pieces After a Fire. A fire can be a devastating life-changing event. If you’ve recently suffered a fire loss, this booklet from the American Red Cross can guide you through a safe and speedy recovery.

Preventing Bedroom Fires. Nearly 600 people die each year from fires that start in the bedroom. These U.S. Fire Administration tips will help you stay safe.

Carbon Monoxide: Exposing an Invisible Killer. Each year almost 500 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning. This fact sheet lays out the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to prevent them.

Electrical Fire Prevention. Home electrical fires claim 485 lives each year. Find out how you can prevent electrical fires in your home.

Get Out Safely During a Fire. Having a sound escape plan will protect your family’s safety if a fire occurs. The U.S. Fire Administration explains how to create that plan.

Fireplace and Home Fire Safety. More than one-third of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves, and other fuel-fired appliances to hear their homes. Read about the fire risks these methods pose and how you can minimize them.

What You Need to Know About Smoke Alarms

Winter Storm Fire Safety. Identify potential hazards during or after a winter storm with these tips from the U.S. Fire Administration.