Frequently Asked Questions

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1. How can I become a firefighter in St. Joseph?

To learn how to become a firefighter in St. Joseph, contact Human Resources at 816-271-4670.

2. What programs are available from the Fire Department?

Home Inspection
This is a free informational inspection of your home to identify potential fire and safety hazards in your home. Findings are given directly to you and are confidential. You, as the homeowner, are responsible to hire professionals to make any repairs or replacements you can not do yourself. For further information please call Fire Prevention at 271-4623 or 271-4604.
Commercial Property Inspections
Code inspections to identify fire safety hazards in your occupancy are conducted yearly. You may call and schedule an inspection of your property through Fire Prevention at 271-4604 or 271-4623 or 271- 4627.
Fire Safety Education
We offer fire safety videos, pamphlets, workbooks and lectures to private and public organizations. You may call to schedule or request a program at 271-4604, 271-4623, 271-4627 or 271-4603 from 8 AM to 4:30 PM weekdays. Please give at least a two-week notice prior to the requested date and time.

3. When are the burning periods?

There are two periods - one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The dates are determined by a request from the Health Department to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The Missouri DNR then grants the request for a three-week period in the spring and in the fall. The Fire Department is only responsible for enforcing the open burning rules and regulations.

Open burning guidelines:

• Burning for yard waste of residential properties only


• Burning shall be allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.


• All fires must be in an upright cylindrical metal container with a volume equal to no more than 55 gallons.
• Containers must be located at least fifteen (15) feet away from any building. Only one burn container per residence is allowed.


• All fires shall be monitored from a point on the property where the fire is located, by a person capable of containing a fire, should containment become necessary.


• ONLY dry yard waste such as leaves, brush and logs grown on the property can be burned. NO trash, paper, lumber or building debris may be burned.


• Fire-fighting material, including but not limited to, a garden hose or a container of water sufficient to contain any fire started shall be at the site of the fire.

4. The Fire Department has been inspecting my building for many years and has never mentioned a violation in the past. Why are they indicating a violation this time?

Fire codes are updated regularly. Some of the things that cause changes in these codes may be a newer type of construction, a new construction method or maybe an event that occurred where people were injured. Whatever the reason, when the codes are updated, it is necessary to inspect your facility under the most current code. This may result in a change from the previous year in your inspection.

5. When I need a permit, whom do I call for an inspection?

Call the Fire Prevention Division. 816-271-4623 or 816-271-4604 to arrange a time for a Fire Inspector to come out and inspect.

6. What is a KNOX Box?

A Knox Box is a secure rapid entry system for emergency services. It is a secure box containing master keys and information about contact persons, materials on the property or and special information that will aid the emergency service.

7. Can I purchase a rapid entry key system (Knox Box) for my business?

Yes, you can pick up a form at Fire Department Headquarters 401 S. 7th. Once the form is filled out you mail it in with your payment. When you receive your Knox Box, a Fire Inspector will help you find the best location for installation at your address. After the box is properly installed, a Fire Truck with the master key to the Knox Box will come and place your Master keys into the box and lock it.

8. What code does the City of St Joseph Fire Department use?

The 2018 edition of the International Fire Code

9. My building has a sprinkler system. Are there things I should do to maintain the system?

If you own the building, you are required to see that the system is tested annually by a reputable contracted agency and the documentation of this test should be kept on file for the fire department to view in accordance with International Fire Code chapter 9. If there is a system in your building it must be in operational condition at all times. If you are a tenant or owner-occupant, there are other things you can do to be sure your system is ready in case it is needed. Never paint a sprinkler head. Each sprinkler head is designed to cover a certain amount of area in your building so before you build walls or large shelving units or stack storage to the ceiling, check with your fire inspector to be sure what you do won’t prevent the sprinkler head from doing it’s job. Also, never hang anything from a sprinkler head.

10. My building has a fire alarm system. Are there things I should do to maintain the system?

If you own the building, you are responsible to see that the system is tested annually by a reputable contracted agency and the documentation of this test should be kept on file for the fire department to view. Also, it would help if someone who is likely to be in the building on a daily basis knows where the alarm panel is located. If you are a tenant or owner-occupant, there are other things you can do to be sure your system is ready in case it is needed. Never paint a detector surface. Each detector is designed to cover a certain amount of area in your building so before you build walls or large shelving units or stack storage to the ceiling, check with your fire inspector to be sure what you do won’t prevent the detector from doing it’s job. Also, never hang anything from a detector.

11. Our alarm system keeps having false alarms. The alarm goes off but no fire is found. Can’t we do something about this?

Fire alarms seldom malfunction. Usually, if they are sounding, there is a reason. Sensing devices may need cleaning or replacement. Other reasons causing alarm activation may be as simple as a bag of popcorn that overcooked in a microwave, a co-worker smoking in an area where they shouldn’t be, or dust from re-modeling. In all of cases, even though big flames were not shooting from the building and hoses were not needed to put the fire out, the system was doing its job of alerting everyone in the building to a possible danger of a fire. If your system activates, immediately leave the building and do not re-enter until the proper authority investigated the alarm and gives the all clear to enter the building. Take every fire alarm seriously, follow your established evacuation plan, leave the building until someone of authority (building maintenance, security, the fire department, etc.) tell you it is safe to return.

12. I’ve heard quite a lot about carbon monoxide. Could I have this in my house and do I need a carbon monoxide detector?

There are many things that give off carbon monoxide. They include gas appliances such as furnaces, water heaters and stoves. Fuel burning space heaters and wood burning fireplaces can give off carbon monoxide. Even warming up your car or barbecuing in your garage can fill your house with carbon monoxide. The problem is that it is an odorless, colorless gas so until you begin to see symptoms, you don know it’s there. People experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning feel like they have a flue that came on suddenly. This also affects small pets and even plants. Carbon monoxide detectors will sense excessive levels of the gas early and warn you to leave. If your family is having symptoms or your detector is sounding an alarm, call 9-1-1 and the fire department will respond. We can take readings and provide medical help. Sometimes we can shut off the source of the problem but you will need to call out a technician to check the appliance and make repairs. For more information on carbon monoxide and detectors Contact Fire Prevention at 271-4623 or 271-4604.

13. Can I burn brush or yard waste in St. Joseph?

There is a limited amount of burning that is allowed in St Joseph. Included in the list are burning for land clearing, recreational fires, warming fires for construction crews and ceremonial fires. In addition to those already mentioned the city applies to the state Department of Natural Resources twice a year for a period of open burning. For more specific information on burning regulations or requirements Please contact Fire Prevention at 271-4623 or 271-4604.

14. How can I get a fire truck to come to my event?

Call 816-271-4603 for assistance with scheduling public education programs such as fire truck visits, fire station visits and other public education programs. Please call at least 2 weeks prior to your event. Large events or events that require a longer time of involvement may require more than 2 weeks notice.

15. People completely disregard the fire lanes in my building. What can I do about it?

The St Joseph Fire and Police Departments can both write fire lane violation citations. You can report this either to the Fire Department or the Police Department at 271-4777.

16. If during an inspection a violation is found how long do I have to fix it?

For a routine (non-life threatening) violation we usually grant 10 business days for correction. If a life threatening violation is found we require it to be corrected immediately. If a violation cannot be corrected in the amount of time given then we will work with the owner/occupant to ensure compliance as quickly as possible.