General Fire Information
How to Get Help In An Emergency
The following information is presented for you and your children to become familiar with should there be an emergency. Please make sure that your children understand what they should do should a medical, fire, or police emergency occur.
Call 911 for police, fire and medical emergencies. When you call for help, what you say is important. Remember to stay calm and speak clearly. Say what is wrong and the kind of help you need. Tell the call taker the location of the emergency and give your name and telephone number. Even if you cannot speak, the call taker may be able to tell where you're calling from. Follow the call taker's instructions and stay on the line until you're told to hang up. Your 911 call can save valuable time in an emergency. Know what to do when you call; role play with your children, so that they know what to do in an emergency.
How to Obtain Fire Reports
When requesting a copy of a fire report, please have specific information ready when you call, such as the location and date of the incident. Please call Missouri City Fire and Rescue Services 281-403-4300 from 8 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.
Parking in Fire Lanes
Parking in a designated fire lane is prohibited. Fire lanes are considered a part of the fire protection system of any building. It is designed to allow unobstructed fire apparatus access at all times to the building in the event of a fire or a medical emergency. Whenever a fire lane is blocked the safety of that building and its occupants are jeopardized. If you would like more information regarding fire lanes or would like to report a violation please call the Fire Marshal's office at 281-403-4300 during regular business hours or the police dispatcher at 281-403-8700 24 hours a day.
Burning Permits
Open burning is not allowed in the City of Missouri City.
Fireworks
Fireworks can bring special meaning to the 4th of July. However, they can cause serious injury and start dangerous fires. Any possession or discharging of fireworks is illegal within the City of Missouri City. For the benefit and safety of our citizens, the City of Missouri City conducts a majestic fireworks display every 4th of July. For more information on fireworks contact the Fire Marshal's office at 281-403-4300.
Arson
The threat of arson is real in our community. Each year the Investigators of the Fire Marshal's Office investigate felony cases involving arson, bombings, explosive devices, false alarms and threats to bomb or burn. Every year in the US millions of dollars in damages are caused by arson fires and many lives are lost each year due to those intentionally set fires. If you have any information or questions concerning the crimes mentioned, please call the Missouri City Fire Marshal's Office Monday thru Friday from 8 am - 4 pm at 281-403-4300.
If you have information concerning any type of crime that you would like to report and remain anonymous, you can call Fort Bend Crime Stoppers at 281-342-TIPS.
Information for Your Business
Fire exits are designed to provide continuous and unobstructed means of exiting a building. An exiting system in any building may include doors, doorways, corridors, stairways and any other exiting systems. Required exit doors must not be locked when a building is occupied. Escape routes should be posted at work stations and updated when changes are made. Remind personnel to observe the best escape route from their location. A fire drill or walk through is also a good idea. All exiting requirements are described in the International Building Codes and International Fire Codes. If you should have any questions about your emergency exiting system you may contact the Fire Inspector at 281-403-4300 during regular business hours.
Home Fire Information
Fire Escape Planning for Homes
When planning a home fire escape plan, draw a floor plan of your home. Show all windows, doors, halls, stairs and bedrooms. Make sure all rooms, especially bedrooms have at least two exits. Draw dark arrows on your plan to indicate normal exits. Mark emergency escape routes with lighter arrows, these alternative exits are to be used when normal exits are blocked. Test your escape route, make sure windows can be opened easily, and that screens and storm windows can be removed from inside. If your bedrooms are on the second floor, provide folding escape ladders. To account for everyone's safety, select and list on your plan, a definite meeting place outside the house. Do not waste time gathering valuables or getting dressed. Assign someone to assist infants, elderly, and handicapped family members. Be prepared to call the fire department from a neighbors house by dialing 911. Give the 911 Operator your name, address, phone number and type of emergency. Wait to answer any questions before terminating the call. Hold fire drills in your home, have all family members participate, this will test the practicality of your plan and give you a chance to practice escaping. If you need assistance in developing a home fire escape plan call the Fire Department at 281-403-4300.
Fire Setting by Children
Most experts agree that the best way to understand a child fire setting is by looking at the context and motivation for the behavior. There are four types of fire settings and for each type a different strategy is used to stop the behavior.
Type 1
The first type is curiosity usually found in the 3 - 7 year old children. The child is curious and plays with fire to learn about it. Fire safety education is recommended.
Type 2
The second type is a crisis usually with children 5 - 10 years old involving a sudden change in life or recent trauma. The child is using fire as a cry for help to show his inability to cope with a sudden change. He will usually continue until stress is relieved or is taught safer ways to cope. Recommended treatment is counseling and education.
Type 3
The third type is a delinquent child. This usually involves children 10 - 14 years old. A child sets fires to impress peers, out of boredom, defiance or peer pressure. Restitution and education will help.
Type 4
The fourth type is a problem fire setter usually 7 - 12 years old, with a history of school and social problems. Counseling is recommended. Parents can help prevent most fire settings by keeping matches and lighters out of the reach of young children. Presently very little pressure is required to ignite a disposable lighter, thus young children have the ability and strength to ignite a flame. Disposable lighters are the right size for a child's hand. Color awareness is beginning for many children at the age of 3 or 4 and disposable lighters come in very bright colors which contribute to children thinking they are toys. Parental supervision needs to be considered. Many parents strive to always keep matches and lighters out of reach of young children. There is a strike zone from the floor to an adult shoulder height, this is an area which should be free of matches and lighters. If an older child is curious about matches, show them the proper and safe way to use them, but only when an adult is present. Often when children play with fire, nothing happens, they develop a false sense of security over it. Fire play is very serious, don't assume it is just a phase and will pass by itself. Children who play with fire can be dangerous to themselves and others. Because children usually don't understand why they are setting fires they can't stop without help. If you want to discuss this problem with someone call the Fire Marshal's office at 281-403-4300.