The Scotland Volunteer Fire Department and various code officials, including the Fire Marshall, Burn Officials, Building Inspector, and the Forest Fire Warden work towards the education, and edification of all, to reach the ultimate goal of preventing fires. To that end we have prepared this page with the hope that it will be read and utilized.

SCOTLAND FIRE MARSHALS OFFICE (860) 450-1525
Fire Marshal: Dana Barrow (860) 423-8712
Deputy Fire Marshal: Noel Waite (860) 455-9885
Deputy Fire Marshal: Kim Field (860) 450-1525
BURN OFFICIALS:
First Selectman Clark Stearns (860) 456-7797
BUILDING INSPECTOR:
John Berard (860) 455-9553
FOREST FIRE WARDEN:
Ray Miles (860) 423-1866

Connecticut Fire Codes (Life Safety Code), building codes, outside burning regulations are designed to first protect life and then property. The Codes and regulations incorporate many aspect of building construction materials, exit width & access, room capacities, and safe storage distances for flammable materials. There are many aspects within our governing systems that are concerned with, and for, our safety. Only the individual can achieve the ultimate goal of fire prevention. Failing to attain that particular goal, we need to focus on personal safety.

PREVENTION:
Take the time! Pay attention! Do it today, not tomorrow!

Don’t burn without a permit.
The Burn Officials issue burn permits after factoring in many variables

Do not store gasoline in your basement or on your porch.
Always store flammable substances in a proper container. If you have questions regarding safe storage call the local fire dept for advice.

Insure that your electrical system is up to code and that any extension cords are in good condition, properly placed, and appropriate to their usage.

Maintain your heating system and keep your chimneys clean.
If a wood stove or furnace is used, insure that it’s intact, safe, and properly vented. Check your fireplace also. Use a screen if you’re not right there with it. Make a bi-yearly schedule to take clutter and debris to the dump. Don’t let it pile up.

PERSONAL SAFETY:
Be prepared! Make a plan! Have drills!
Smoke detectors are, by far, one of the least expensive and most effective lifesavers we have. BUT only if they work. Check your batteries regularly! They can, and should, be placed in many different areas of your home; cellar, attic, stairwells, hallways, bedrooms, workrooms, kitchens. Anywhere, everywhere.
Decide on a date(s) to do battery checks. Time changes, your kid’s birthdays, and your anniversary. Don’t forget!
Keep fire extinguishers in easily accessible places. Call the fire dept. for the correct rating and ask for instruction on how to use it properly. If your fire is larger than wastebasket size, forget the extinguisher. Close the door; Get out, stay out, and Call 911

A PLAN
Sit down with your family and make a plan to how best exit your house if your detector alerts and/or you discover a fire some other way. Designate a meeting place outside your home. Caution your children not to hide. Tell them “not under the bed, not in the closet”, that they MUST go to the designated meeting area. Designate responsibility for the safe egress of babies and toddlers
HAVE DRILLS!
Our children have drills at school; many of us have drills at work. We need to have drills at home also, that’s where we all eat and sleep together.
When attending events or staying at unfamiliar places know where you exits are.
We need to know our particular responsibilities and we need to know how to get out and where to meet up.
Reassurance
None of us wants to frighten our children; we want them to always think of home as a safe place. Take the time to explain that by making a plan we are, in fact, making our home safer for all of us.