Boone Fire Department

History
Services and Fleet
Burning Ordinance Summary
Important Links
Code of Ordinances

How to become a volunteer firefighter

Boone Firefighters
Boone Fire Chief Ed Knight

Assistant Fire Chief Randy Craven

Captain/EMT-I Dave Springer
Firefighter/EMT-B Todd Kennedy
Firefighter/EMT-B Kent Peterson
Firefighter/EMT-B Bill Browning
Firefighter/EMT-I Justin Adams
Firefighter/Paramedic Max Cook
Firefighter/EMT-I Donald "Chip" Zehner
Firefighter/EMT-B - Josh Olsen
Firefighter/Paramedic Rob Zahnd

For more information contact Ed Knight, Fire Chief

Phone Numbers:
Fire Chief: (515) 432-3436
Fire Alarm Only: (515) 432-3131
Fire Misc. calls Only: (515) 432-3446

Boone Fire Department History
The Boone Fire Department was officially organized on June 8, 1877 when. The Daniel Boone Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1 was formed. Equipment consisted of some ladders and a bucket cart pulled by hand. Later a hose cart and hand pumper was purchased and any horses available were commandeered off the street to pull the cart to the fire.

In 1904 the career department was organized and a team of horses were purchased. The first motorized equipment was placed in service in 1919.

The original location of the fire department was at 815 Keeler Street, where the VFW building is currently located. The fire department was moved to its present location of 923 Eighth Street in 1939 and an annex was added in 1979.

During its history the fire department has be led by Fire Chiefs: John Snell 1904-1907, L.E. Lillie 1907-1908, William West 1908-1941, Eric Kolb 1941-1951, Robert Robertson 1951-1964, Jack Mustapha 1964-1975, Clyde Neely 1975-1984, Richard Littell 1984-1986, and Ed Knight 1986-present.

Services Area and Fleet Information
The Boone Fire Department provides fire protection, prevention and emergency medical services to the City of Boone, the communities of Luther and Fraser and approximately 160 square miles of rural townships.

The current fleet consists of

• 1975 tanker
• 1978 brush truck
• 1995 pumper
• 1995 command vehicle
• 1999 pumper
• 2000 medium rescue
• 2007 pumper/tanker
• 2007 95 foot aerial platform
  

CITY OF BOONE BURNING ORDINANCE SUMMARY
The ordinance limits the days that landscape wastes can be burned and the hours of the day it can be burned. Periods of open burning are restricted to April 15th—May 15th and October 1st through November 15th of each year. Any burning of landscape waste shall not commence before 8:00 am and must be completely extinguished each day by 7:00 pm for the period of April 15th –May 15th and not commence before 8:00 am and be completely extinguished by 5:00 pm for the period of October 1st-November 15th.
When burning landscape waste, common sense is your best ally, take note of wind direction, locations of fire in respect to exposures, dry conditions, what direction the smoke will travel, etc.. A minimum distance of 25 feet should be kept between the fire and any buildings. If the pile to be burned is larger than 3 foot in diameter and 2 feet in height, the distance should be increased to 50 feet. It is suggested that a source of water be available, such as a connected garden hose, a bucket of water or an approved fire extinguisher. The fire shall be ATTENDED AT ALL TIMES BY A COMPETENT PERSON until the fire has been extinguished.
A reminder that landscape waste cannot be burned on City property, this includes alleys, streets and parking. Please do not blow or rake your leaves into the street as they have a tendency to flow into the storm sewers inlets and clog the system.
Any other burning such as prescribed burns and the process of burning plant material from grubbing and clearing outside of these dates may be accomplished by permit only. We must emphasize that only landscape waste can be burned. As always it is illegal to burn garbage, paper, sawn wood, demolished components of any structure, tires or treated wood of any kind. Outdoor fires used for the preparation of food, and campfires for ceremonial and recreational purposes have been and still are exempt from this ordinance

HEALTH RISKS

While many individuals look forward to the pungent odor of burning leaves, for many these same smokey conditions can cause significant health problems. Smoke from the burning leaves is especially harmful to infants, young children, the elderly and those suffering from emphysema, bronchitis, and other lung and heart diseases. One of every six people is susceptible to the irritating effects of burning leaves.
Smoke from burning leaves contains fine particles that can bypass respiratory defenses and reach deep into lung tissue and cause acute and chronic medical problems. Breathing particulate matter can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs ability to use that air. Particulate matter can also trigger asthma attacks in some people. In addition to being an irritant, leaf smoke contains many hazardous chemicals, including carbon monoxide and benzo (a) pyrene. Carbon monoxide reduces the human bloods ability to carry oxygenated blood to the lungs and heart. Benzo (a) pyrene is a known carcinogen similar to what smokers inhale when smoking.
Studies have shown that emissions created by leaf burning can create levels of pollution much higher than emissions from vehicles and industries combined. This is particularly evident in the autumn when thermal inversions keep the smoke low to the ground and does not allow it to dissipate. When wet or damp leaves are burned the resulting smoke contains a higher level of pollutants and toxic chemicals, up to four times higher than leaves that are not wet.
Leaf burning can also reduce visibility, create safety hazards, cause a nuisance, soil buildings and other property and create demands on police and fire protection.

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL METHODS

Composting is a viable alternative to the burning of leaves. Not only does it reduce the pollutants in the air, it provides a free and extremely effective fertilizer for flower beds and vegetable gardens. The resulting compost is rich in moisture and nutrients and is very effective in promoting the growth and health of your plants.
The Boone County Landfill sponsors free yard waste disposal days in the spring and the fall. For further information on this program please call 433-0591. Local refuse haulers are also available to haul landscape waste away. Contact your hauler for costs and schedule.

Important Links:
http://www.dps.state.ia.us/fm/ (State Fire Marshall)
http://www.co.boone.ia.us/landfill.htm (Boone County Landfill)