Your Guide to Essential Resources and Services

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The Westfield Fire Department makes every effort to comply with requests for public records while ensuring compliance to Federal (HIPAA) Laws for Protected Health Information. 

Fire Incident Reports

Fire Incident Reports contain information regarding suppression efforts and will not list cause & origin details. These reports can be obtained through the following methods:

Request in person:

Westfield Fire Department

Administration Office

4105 Lauder Rd.

Houston, TX 77039

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

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Request by email:

Send form to admin@westfield-fire.com

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Cause & Origin reports, or reports for fires of suspicious origin may be obtained from the Fire marshal's Office.

Harris County Fire Marshal 

Harris County: No Burn Ban In Effect 

OUTDOOR BURNING INFORMATION

Outdoor burning, in general, is illegal because it  contributes to air pollution. However, there are some exceptions in which burning is allowed. In those cases, the Outdoor Burning Rule has been designed to protect the environment and promote public health and safety. 

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and County Health Departments regulate outdoor burning according to TCEQ rules.  Outdoor burning is only authorized through the TCEQ rules. Fire Marshals and Fire Chiefs do not have the authority to authorize outdoor burning.  The Fire Marshal can, however, prohibit all outdoor burning when a Burn Ban is issued.  

Outdoor burning which is otherwise authorized is subject to additional requirements.  The outdoor burning must not create a nuisance condition or a traffic hazard. Additional requirements apply and are included below. 

• Burning must take place outside corporate limits of a city or town. 
• Smoke and pollutants from burning will not be allowed to cause adverse effects to any public road, landing strip, navigable water, or occupied offsite structure. 
• Burning must be conducted at least 300 ft. downwind of an offsite occupied structure unless written approval has been obtained from the owner/person in possession of the structure. 
• Burning may commence no earlier than 1 hour after sunrise and must be completed no later than 1 hour before sunset. 
• The fire must be attended at all times.
• Burning shall not occur when the wind speed is less than 6 MPH or greater than 23 MPH. 
• Electrical insulation, treated lumber, plastics, non-wood construction demolition material, oils, asphaltic material, chemical wastes, explosive materials, and items containing rubber may not be burned. 
• Burning may not be conducted during a Burn Ban.
• Structures containing sensitive receptors (humans and livestock) must not be negatively impacted by the burn.

Outdoor burning is not authorized when a Burn Ban has been issued unless specifically permitted by the TCEQ. 

What Does a Burn Ban Mean? 

No outdoor burning is allowed except in an enclosure which contains all flames and/or sparks, outdoor burning activities authorized by Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), approved ceremonial fires, non-commercial cooking, and prescribed “hot work”.

What is allowed during a Burn Ban?

Backyard cook-outs and barbeques are allowed with equipment designed for that purpose, as is welding and other “hot work” performed in accordance with county fire code requirements.

 What are the Penalties for Outdoor Burning under a Burn Ban

• Violation of the ban is a Class “C” misdemeanor, punishable for up to a $500 fine. In addition, any person who starts a fire that causes damage to property without the consent of the owner may be charged with Reckless Damage or Destruction, a Class C misdemeanor, or Arson, a felony.
• The county can pursue civil remedies for non-compliance under LGC 352.081 (G)

How Can Residents Help?

• Use extreme caution when cooking outdoors. A small spark or burning ember can ignite dry vegetation. Winds will fan the flames and spread the fire rapidly.
• Remove combustibles within 30 feet of any approved or permitted controlled burn and "hot work." A small, controlled fire can easily spread quickly and become an out-of-control, dangerous fire.
• If you see an unattended fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Even a small fire can spread quickly and threaten people and houses.

What is used to Initiate a Burn Ban?

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) is an indicator used by the Texas Forest Service to relate recent and current weather conditions to expected fire behavior. The KBDI also allows local governments to better understand the impact of drought conditions. Higher KBDI values indicate an increased fire risk due to lower fuel moisture.

Texas A&M Forest Service Keetch-Byram Drought Index

Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services - Outdoor Burning

An in-service fire station crew and fire truck will visit public events sponsored by a nonprofit organization, a school, or a neighborhood association. If a fire crew attends your event, they will typically remain “in service” and stage the apparatus somewhere that allows them to leave quickly if they are dispatched to an emergency. Responding to an emergency may cause the crew to be late to the event, to have to leave abruptly, or in some cases, to not show up at all. 

To request a fire truck at your next event, please contact us at(281) 306-2989

 or admin@westfield-fire.com

CenterPoint Power Line Safety

See downed overhead lines? Stay at least 35 feet away and call 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143.

Houston storms often damage power lines, exposing people to deadly danger. Keep your family and neighbors safe with these downed-line safety tips.

If You See Downed Power Lines:

1. Do not go near downed lines or fallen wires.
2. Stay away from anything touching downed lines (tree limbs, vehicles, puddles, etc.).
3. If someone already made contact with a power line, do not try to rescue them. You can’t help if you become a victim. Call 911.
4. Report downed power lines to 713-207-2222 or 800-332-7143.

Keep Your Distance From Objects Near Overhead Lines:

• ​Metal objects like fences and guardrails can become energized if a power line contacts them.
• Do not attempt to remove tree limbs from power lines.
• The ground may be energized near a downed line.
• Standing water (puddles from flooding) may be energized from a downed line. 
• Parked vehicles may be energized from a downed line.  

In A Vehicle Near Downed Power Lines?

• Wait inside your vehicle for help.
• Call 911 if you have a cellphone.
• Warn others outside the vehicle to stay away.

If you must exit the vehicle:

• Never touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time!
• Keeping your hands held close to chest and elbows tucked in, jump as far from the vehicle as you can without stumbling.
• Land with your feet together, touching the ground at the same time.
• After landing, slowly shuffle away from the vehicle with small steps.

Damage to Your Home’s Electrical Equipment:

After CenterPoint Energy restores power, many Houston customers continue experiencing electricity problems because their customer-owned electrical equipment was damaged in the storm.

Service from an overhead wire: 

The weatherhead – where the overhead power line or service drop connects to your home or building – is owned by the customer. The customer must hire an electrician to repair a damaged weatherhead. CenterPoint Energy cannot restore power to your house until customer-owned equipment is repaired.

Service from an underground line: 

The riser – the metal or plastic pipe below your meter where the power lines connect to your home – is owned by the customer. The customer must hire an electrician to repair a damaged riser. CenterPoint Energy cannot restore electrical service until all customer-owned equipment is repaired.

CenterPoint Energy Outages Tracker

 Natural gas leaks can be hazardous​

• ​​Natural gas vapors are lighter than air and will generally rise and dissipate. They may gather in confined spaces and travel to a source of ignition.
• While natural gas is non-toxic, in high concentrations, it may cause dizziness or asphyxiation without warning.
• Under certain conditions, natural gas leaking into the atmosphere can result in flammable mixtures that can ignite. Keep ignition sources away.

CenterPoint Energy's actions during an emergency​

​CenterPoint Energy immediately dispatches personnel to the site to help handle the emergency and provide information to public safety officials to aid in their response. Our personnel will restrict the flow of gas as needed to protect people, property and the environment.​

The best way to recognize a natural gas leak is to use your eyes, ears, and nose.

 Look for signs of a possible leak

Persistent bubbling in standing water

Discolored or dead vegetation around the pipeline area 

Dense white cloud or fog 

Slight mist of ice ​

Unexplained frozen ground near the pipeline

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Listen for any unusual noise 

​Whistling, hissing or roaring sound ​
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Smell

Distinctive, strong odor, often compared to rotten eggs or sulfur​

What To Do If You Smell Natural Gas

Natural gas has a distinctive, strong odor, often compared to rotten eggs or sulfur.​ ​

What to do if you smell natural gas 

INSIDE your home or building:

• Step 1: Leave immediately on foot! Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell phones), drive or start a car or anything that could cause a spark.
  
• Step 2: Go directly to a safe location, on foot, and call both CenterPoint Energy and 911. Do not use e-mail or the Internet to contact the company about a leak, and never assume someone else has reported the leak.
  
• Step 3: Alert your neighbors. CenterPoint Energy checks suspected natural gas leaks at no cost to you.
  
• Step 4: Never try to repair a natural gas leak yourself. Leave all repairs to a trained technician. 

OUTSIDE your home or building:

• Step 1: Leave immediately on foot! Do not use electric switches, telephones (including cell phones), start or drive a car or anything that could cause a spark. Move in a upwind direction away from the leak or vapor cloud where you can no longer smell gas​ and maintain a safe distance.
  
• Step 2: Go directly to a safe location and call both CenterPoint Energy and 911​.
  
• Step 3: Warn others to stay away from the leak. Abandon any equipment being used in or near the area.

The Westfield Fire Department has adopted the Knox Rapid Entry System as the standard to be used for emergency entry to commercial properties.

The system is a high security key system designed to give firefighters immediate access to locked buildings or secured areas after hours when the building is unoccupied. Rapid entry during an emergency helps protect both lives and property.

The devices ordered will be shipped directly to you from the Knox Company. Depending on the type of device ordered, it will arrive either locked or unlocked. These devices are keyed specifically to the Department and only select units within the Department are supplied with the necessary keys.

Follow the installation directions included with the device. Once you are ready to place the device into service, you will need to contact us and request assistance in locking the device. This process allows for the strict control of the keys as well as notifying the emergency crews of new devices in their area.

How to Purchase a Lock in Harris County

Step 1: Visit Harris County's Knox Box Website to purchase a lock.

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Step 2: Ensure the following information is located in the “You're Shopping” tab in the top left corner.

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Your location: Texas

Local fire department/agency: "Harris Co Fire Marshals Office"

Step 3: Is your business residential or commercial?

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Residential

Harris County Fire Marshals Office

Humble, TX 77396-3503

Residential Use ONLY - HomeBoxes

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Commercial

Harris County Fire Marshals Office

Humble, TX 77396-3503

Unincorporated Areas of Harris County

Step 4: Once you receive your lock, contact us at (281) 306-2989

 or 

admin@westfield-fire.com to open the Knox Box for installation.

The best way to be safe is to prevent a lithium-ion battery fire from starting. Take these important actions now.

Lithium-ion batteries can go into thermal runaway undetected and result in a fire. Not just any fire, a fire that emits flames, smoke and toxic gases that can cause an explosion and spread throughout a house, apartment, or storefront.

DID YOU KNOW?

From the first warning signs of smoke or hissing noises, you may have less than one minute to escape a lithium-ion battery fire.

What is a lithium-ion battery? Lithium-ion is the most popular rechargeable battery chemistry used today. It consists of single or multiple lithium-ion cells along with a protective circuit board.

Where can I find lithium-ion battery-powered devices? Lithium-ion battery-powered devices can be found in the home and workplace in many common products such as — cell phones, laptops, electric power tools, wheelchairs, lawn mowers, e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric vehicles.

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What are the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries? Despite their many advantages, lithium-ion batteries have the potential to overheat, catch fire, and cause explosions. This most commonly occurs when the batteries are damaged, suffer electro-chemical abuse (e.g., from overcharging or completely draining the battery), are in high- or low-temperature environments, or have an internal short-circuit. The heating from the internal short circuit can cause chemical reactions that lead to thermal runaway.

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What is thermal runaway? Thermal runaway is the primary driver of risks related to lithium-ion batteries. Thermal runaway is what happens when a fault causes self-heating in a battery cell. The process of self-heating generates incredible heat — more than 1,000° F — which decomposes the cell into smoke and flammable and toxic gases. When the heat from thermal runaway spreads to other cells, it can cause them to experience faults and the rest of the battery to go into thermal runaway.

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Thermal runaway often immediately ignites a fire, but if the ignition is not immediate, the buildup of flammable gases can cause an explosion that blows out windows and spreads fire throughout a structure (e.g., an apartment, house, or storefront).

TAKE C.H.A.R.G.E.

Choose certified products

• When purchasing lithium-ion battery-powered devices, be sure to look for products that are listed or safety certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to ensure they meet important safety requirements.
• Countless products sold online do not meet these critical safety standards.

Handle lithium-ion battery-powered devices with care

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Only use the charging equipment that comes with the product.
• Store batteries away from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, exits, and anything flammable.
• Do not modify the battery or the charger in any way.
• Charge larger devices (such as eBikes) outside the home – and never in your exit path. 
• Do not charge larger devices overnight.

Always stay alert for warning signs

• Check battery-powered devices often for damage or abuse such as swelling or punctures.
• Listen for unusual hissing or popping sounds.
• Watch out for excessive heat or a strange odor.
• If you notice any of these warning signs, stop using the lithium-ion powered devices.
• White or gray wispy smoke indicates immediate danger of thermal runaway

Recycle devices and batteries properly

• Responsibly dispose of old or damaged batteries and devices by taking them to the nearest battery recycling center.
• Never discard batteries, chargers, or battery-powered devices in regular trash bins.

Get out quickly if there’s a fire

• Know the warning signs to look and listen for and get out if you see – or hear – one.
• Follow your home fire escape plan to leave immediately and call 9-1-1.

Educate others on battery safety

• Now that you know what actions to take, spread the word. Protect your friends and loved ones by sharing how they can take C.H.A.R.G.E. of battery safety.

Battery Safety - Fire Safety Research Institute

Did you know that we offer free fire station tours? When you take a tour at the station, you will have an opportunity to learn about fire safety and how we operate as a fire department. 

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Schedule fire station tours are typically for school, church, or scout groups. Although we do welcome individuals and small families to stop by and say hello anytime!

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The fire crew will typically remain in service, so the tour will end quickly if they are dispatched to an emergency. Responding to an emergency may cause the crew to be late to the event, to have to leave abruptly, or in some cases, to not show up at all.

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For more information about fire station tours, or if you would like to schedule an event, Please contact us at (281) 306-2989

 or admin@westfield-fire.com