The Williamsport Bureau of Fire provides Fire, Rescue, and EMS service to the City of Williamsport which also serves as the county seat for Lycoming County, PA.
The City is located in the north-central part of the state along the west branch of the Susquehanna River. The City encompasses over nine square miles and has a permanent population of approximately 30,000 residents as well as 10,000 college students.
The Williamsport Bureau of Fire was organized in 1874 as a career department and has a staff of 37 sworn personnel and one Administrative Aide.
Where the basement ceiling is exposed the following is required:
Section 704.2
Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed and maintained in Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, and in dwellings not regulated in Group R occupancies, regardless of occupant load at all of the following locations:
Section 704.3 Power Source
In Group R occupancies and in dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies, single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low.
Exception: Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated in buildings where no construction is taking place, buildings that are not served from a commercial power source, and in existing areas of buildings undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of the interior wall or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space, or basement available which could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes.
Section 704.4 Interconnection
Where more than one smoke alarm is required to be installed within an individual dwelling unit in Group R-2, R-3, R-4 and in dwellings not regulated as Group R occupancies, the smoke alarms shall be interconnected in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in
the individual unit. The alarm shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed.
Exceptions:
Smoke alarms 10 years or older must be replaced. Smoke alarms must be installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Smoke detectors are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke detectors give you an early warning so you can get outside quickly.
Install smoke detectors in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install smoke detectors in the basement.
The Williamsport Bureau of Fire offers FREE smoke detectors to residents of the City of Williamsport. The Bureau will come out and install these smoke detectors for you at NO CHARGE.
In order to obtain a FREE smoke detector, you can stop by Fire Headquarters at 440 Walnut Street, Williamsport, PA, and a Fire Fighter will review all of the information with you. Smoke detectors are available to everyone, (please limit 1 per household).
Bonfire Permit applications are available in the Bureau of Codes Office located at City Hall, Lower Level, 245 West Fourth Street.
Violation of any rules and regulations set forth by the International Fire Code and the Williamsport Codified Ordinances could result in citations being issued and the fire being extinguished.
Citation costs range from $75 dollars to $300 dollars.
Recreational fires are defined as small fires used for either recreational use or cooking.
Both types of fires are allowed in the City as long as the following guidelines are adhered to:
Manufactured fire pits or containers made of steel or brick are permitted for recreational uses.
If a complaint is filed and the Fire Department responds and the Firefighters deem the fire to be a public nuisance, then the fire shall be extinguished.
Fires discharging smoke that creates public discomfort for neighboring properties could be extinguished.
Residents are allowed to construct their own fire pits. However, they are required to be inspected PRIOR to the first use.
Any device that is not pre-manufactured must be Pre-approved by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal. Per Article 1513 of the Codified Ordinances.
Bonfires:
Prior to the construction of any public bonfire, you must secure an approved Bonfire Permit. Permits are required to be submitted at least 30 days in advance and must be approved by the Bureau of Fire.
The Williamsport Bureau of Fire provides Life Safety assistance to everyone within the City of Williamsport and the surrounding areas when needed.
Listed below are some of the services that the Bureau of Fire provides daily:
100 West 3rd Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
Phone: (570) 327-7500
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm