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1. How does the West Fargo Fire Department operate?

The West Fargo Fire Department operates as a municipal fire department, the Chief of the Department is appointed by the West Fargo City Commission and reports to the City Administrator. The department is funded through a tax levy included in the annual city budget.  Within the department, five divisions operate to keep the department ready as an "all hazards" department; Administration, Community Risk Reduction, Operations, Professional Standards, and Emergency Management.  The department has an authorized strength of 67 employees, 22 full time and 45 part time. 

2. What services does the West Fargo Fire Department provide?

The West Fargo Fire Department provides many services to the community, including

• Community Risk Reduction
• Fire Suppression 
• Emergency Medical Services
• Arson Investigations 
• Fire Code Compliance 
• Technical Rescue 
• Water/Ice Rescue
• Hazardous Materials Response
• Emergency Management 

3. Can I tour the West Fargo Fire Department?

Tours are conducted at the fire department upon request. Tours take approximately 20 - 30 minutes. If interested in setting up a tour, please call our office at 701-515-5600 to set up a date and time.

4. How many smoke detectors do you need in your home?

You can never have too many smoke detectors. The West Fargo Fire Department recommends one smoke detector on each level of your home, one in each sleeping area and an additional one outside the sleeping area hallway. All new homes are required to have interconnected, electric (with battery backup) detectors located in these locations.

Batteries should be replaced twice a year. An easy way to remember is to change the batteries when you change your clocks ahead or back in the spring and fall.

5. How long does a smoke detector last?

Battery smoke detectors last approximately 5-7 years, with electric smoke detectors averaging 10 years. With age, smoke detectors will either become more sensitive or take longer to react to a smoky environment. This is also usually the case if your detector is having a high frequency of false alarms.

6. Should I buy a carbon monoxide detector?

Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion produced by gas and oil-fired heating appliances, wood-burning stores, charcoal grills and automobiles. If you have any one of these you should have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. 

To help mitigate the risk of CO poisoning, it is important to make sure that heating appliances are in good operating condition and are properly vented. A plugged or partially plugged chimney can cause CO to back up into your home. Never use a charcoal grill in an enclosed building; burning charcoal emits a great deal of CO and can become deadly in a short amount of time. Do not leave a vehicle running inside an attached garage. Please also be mindful that CO can also enter the home through doorways and/or windows.

7. Where do you place a carbon monoxide (CO) detector?

We recommend at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home; however, you may have more than one but should keep the proper placement in mind. The recommendation is to place the detector in a room where you spend the majority of your time, such as a living room. Most detectors sold today are the electric style and need to be plugged into an outlet. With this in mind, place the detector towards the middle of the wall away from vents. 

Some areas to stay away from when placing detectors: 

• Furnace rooms
• Near gas fireplaces
• Near entry doors from garages

Since carbon monoxide is always in the air at safe levels, false readings will occur if placed in areas where these gas appliances are operating.

Carbon monoxide gas will disperse evenly throughout your home with the air conditioner or gas furnace running.

8. Can I smell carbon monoxide and can it hurt me?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas and can be deadly if appliances are not operating efficiently. 

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, feeling tired (fatigue), and flu-like symptoms.

If you have any of these symptoms or your detector goes off, leave the area immediately and call 911. 

For peace of mind, you may call the West Fargo Fire Department for a carbon monoxide level check. There is no charge for this service.

9. Are burn/fire pits allowed in West Fargo city limits?

Yes, burn and fire pits are allowed in West Fargo with some limits:

• Burn pits:
  • Burn pits shall be approved for burning and have a spark arrestor provided and be attended at all times. 
  • Total fuel area shall be 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height. 
• Fire pits:
  • Fire pits shall be located no less than 25 feet from buildings and combustible material such as wood, paper, etc. 
  • Garbage, paper material, and leaves shall not be burned. 
  • Only twigs and small branches are allowed. 
  • Fire pits shall be extinguished if there are complaints made about the smoke it is emitting. 
  • Wind conditions should be minimal or calm.

Owner is responsible should a fire start within a nearby area is association with the fire pit. Open burning (not enclosed in a burn container) is not allowed unless a permit is acquired from the Fire Chief of the West Fargo Fire Department. This permit can only be used for cleanup of natural debris and not intended for recreational purposes.

To inquire about open burning, please contact the West Fargo Fire Department.

10. Can I light off fireworks in town?

Yes and No. An individual who is at least 12 years of age may use, explode or possess any retail fireworks within the city limits of the City of West Fargo, commencing July 4 at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), and ending on July 4 at 11:59 p.m. CDT, and commencing on December 31 at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) and ending on January 1 at 1 a.m. CST. The individual use, explosion, or possession of fireworks at any other time during the year is prohibited. 

For more information, please refer to City Ordinance 12-0711. If you are found lighting off fireworks within the city limits in violation of this ordinance, you can be charged with a Class B Misdemeanor.

11. Where can I light off fireworks?

Within the city limits, you cannot use fireworks on publicly owned property including park property, city or county property, school property or federally owned property without written permission. 

Fireworks also cannot be used on another person's private property without permission. 

If you use fireworks outside the city limits, contact the Cass County Sheriff's Department at 701-271-2900 to find out about any restrictions. 

Also, please be courteous and pick up all garbage after you light off fireworks and be sure to soak any used fireworks in water to prevent fires.

12. What can I do if my neighbor is lighting off fireworks?

An individual who is at least 12 years of age may use, explode or possess any retail fireworks within the city limits of the City of West Fargo, commencing July 4 at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT), and ending on July 4 at 11:59 p.m. CDT, and commencing on December 31 at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) and ending on January 1 at 1 a.m. CST.

If someone is violating the City Ordinance 12-0711, don't hesitate to call the West Fargo Police Department at 701-515-5500.