Fire Safety Education

Fire & Life Safety Inspections

The Big Sky Fire Department (BSFD) takes an active role in Fire & Life Safety education and prevention in our community. BSFD performs Fire & Life Safety Inspections in all commercial occupancies, Short-Term Rentals (STR), and on construction sites. BSFD personnel are always willing to consult with property owners regarding Fire & Life Safety concerns. For more information, please contact the Big Sky Fire Department at 406-995-2100 or via email at admin@bigskyfire.org

View Home Safety Checklist
Big Sky Fire Team working on vehicle
Home Fire Safety

For some easy tips on staying fire safe, please take a look at this Home Safety Checklist.

Fire Prevention Week

In October, BSFD provides annual Fire Prevention presentations at the Big Sky School District, Big Sky Discovery Academy, and the Morningstar Learning Center. If your organization is not mentioned above and you would like to have a presentation for your children’s group, please contact the Big Sky Fire Department at 406-995-2100 or via email at admin@bigskyfire.org

For more information on Fire Prevention Week, look HERE.

Fire Safety for Kids

Fun fire safety websites:

Fire Station Tours

Fire station tours are available when firefighters are not responding to incidents or assigned to other programs that take them out of the station. If you’d like to take a tour, it is best to call ahead at 406-995-2100 to confirm staff are available.

Public Speaking

BSFD staff members are available for public speaking engagements. If you’d like to request someone to speak at your event, please contact the Big Sky Fire Department at 406-995-2100 or via email at admin@bigskyfire.org

Fire Extinguisher Training

More information to come.

Additional Fire Safety Tips

What To Do Before a Fire

BSFD instructs you to follow these steps before a fire occurs.

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

  • Find two ways to exit each room in case the primary exit is blocked by fire or smoke.
  • A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper-story windows.
  • Make sure windows are not stuck, screens can be removed quickly, and security bars can be opened properly.
  • Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
  • Teach children not to hide from firefighters.
Smoke Alarms

A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

  • Install both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms, or dual-sensor smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric sensors.
  • Test batteries monthly.
  • Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a year (except non-replaceable 10-year lithium batteries).
  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, and in both inside and outside sleeping areas.
  • Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking – it can be a deadly mistake.
Smoke Alarm Safety for People with Access or Functional Needs
  • Audible alarms for visually impaired people should pause briefly between successive cycles, allowing them to listen to instructions or others’ voices.
  • Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired. Contact your local fire department for information about obtaining a flashing or vibrating smoke alarm.
  • Smoke alarms with strobe lights outside the home to catch neighbors’ attention, and emergency call systems to summon help, are also available.
More Fire Safety Tips
  • Make digital copies of valuable documents and records, such as birth certificates.
  • Sleep with your door closed.
  • Contact your local fire department for information on training on the proper use and maintenance of fire extinguishers.
  • Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your residence.
What To Do During a Fire

Here are the steps to follow to keep you and others safe during a fire.

During a Fire
  • Crawl low under any smoke to your exit – heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
  • Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot or smoke is coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
  • If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
  • If you can’t reach someone who needs assistance, leave the home and call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where the person is located.
  • If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.
  • If you can’t get out, close the door and cover the vents and cracks around the door with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Call 9-1-1 or your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.
  • If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. If you or someone else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel. Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help right away by calling 9-1-1 or the fire department.
What To Do After a Fire

BSFD instructs you to use this checklist as a quick reference and guide after a fire.

After a Fire

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide to follow after a fire.

  • Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food, or medicine.
  • If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting an inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
  • Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.
  • The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
  • Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until an inventory has been made.
  • Try to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to the information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.
  • Begin saving receipts for any expenses related to the fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying income tax losses.
  • Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

Home Fire Safety

Big Sky Fire Department has compiled a Home Safety Checklist that will help you keep your home and family safe in the event of a fire.

Download Home Safety Checklist

A. Smoke Alarms

Alert you to fire and protect your life when you are sleeping

  • Is there a working smoke alarm (less than 10 years old) on every level of your home?
  • Is there a working smoke alarm near every sleeping area of your home?
  • Do you test your smoke alarm every week, vacuum it monthly and change the battery when you change your clock (every 6 months)?

B. Escape Routes

The Sure Way to Safety

  • Does every member of your family know two ways out of their sleeping area; one inside the home and one through an exterior window or door?
  • Have you practiced both escape routes during the past year?
  • Have you practiced using a meeting place when you practice your escape routes?

C. 9-1-1

The call for help

  • Does everyone in your home know how to call 9-1-1, the emergency number for FIRE/MEDICAL or SHERIFF emergencies?

D. Home Address

Helping firefighters and sheriff deputies find you

  • Is your home address posted where your driveway meets the street (with 4” reflective numbers on a reflective, contrasting background)?
  • Is the address sign on a metal post and high enough not to be obstructed by accumulated snow?
  • Is your home address posted on your home (with 4” reflective or contrasting numbers so that it can be seen from the street)?

E. Defensible Space

Helping firefighters save your home from grass and wildland fires

  • Is the area within 3 feet of every side of your home free from combustible materials?
  • In the area between 3 and 30 feet from every side of your home, have you replaced uncut grass, brush or combustible materials with a maintained lawn (watered and mowed), rock, fire resistive plants or other non-combustible materials?

If the answer to any of the questions was NO, you should correct the situation so that the answer is YES. For example, if you answered NO to Question A(1), you should install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Your self-inspection of your home should conclude with all YES responses on the checklist.

If you need help with any of these items, please contact the Big Sky Fire Department at 406-995-2100 or via email at admin@bigskyfire.org