Spring in the Chagrin Valley brings lots of changes. Most of these changes are welcomed and appreciated. However, with springtime in northeast Ohio comes the increased risks associated with severe weather. The members of the Orange Village Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind you of several steps you can take to ensure your safety as well as the safety of those you love.

TORNADO ALERTS

We all understand that tornadoes can develop quickly and with little time to alert our residents. For that reason we would like to advise you on the best means to be prepared for alerts when these dangerous events take place.

Orange Village does not have a dedicated network of tornado sirens. Depending on where you live you may be able to hear some of the sirens in Solon or Chagrin Falls. However, these sirens are not meant to alert occupants inside the home. Their sole purpose is to encourage those outside to seek shelter. Generally speaking the tornado sirens are activated by emergency dispatch centers. The Chagrin Valley Dispatch Center will immediately post an update on their Facebook page when they activate local sirens. By subscribing to this social media outlet, our residents can quickly access the specific reason for the activated sirens in their area.

Another avenue and possibly your best alternative is your cellular phone. Both Iphone and Android phones are able to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) which are issued by Governmental agencies including the National Weather Service and FEMA. Some phones are shipped with these notifications already turned on. However, to ensure that your phone is able to receive these notifications follow these steps:

Iphone
Open Settings
Notifications
Scroll down to Government Alerts
(make sure they are on)

Android
Open Messages
Click top right – opens settings
Emergency Alert Settings
Make sure Emergency Alerts are on
The benefits of activating these notifications are compounded by the fact that these notifications travel with you. So if you are vacationing out of state you will receive alerts specific to your current location.

Employment

Orange Village is a 24/7 Fire/EMS department staffed with part-time employees. If you have your Firefighter II and Paramedic certifications, please complete our application and mail or deliver the application along with copies of your birth certificate, drivers license, high school diploma or G.E.D., valid paramedic card, fire service training card, and any other applicable certifications you may have to:

Orange Village Fire Department
4600 Lander Road
Orange Village, OH 44022

Applications can also be emailed to Assistant Chief Bill Mandich at mandichw@orangevillage.com.

We accept applications at any time, although we may not be actively hiring at this time. We will keep your application for one year.

Point of Sale Inspections

If you are selling your home you will need to arrange for the Fire Department to verify that you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors placed in the proper locations.

Scheduling for these “Point of Sale Inspections” is coordinated through the Village’s Building Department. Contact the building department by calling 440.498.4403.  Click here for Point of Sale Application & Fire Dept Instructions.

We will make every effort to accommodate your preferred date and time. However, it is suggested you do not attempt to schedule a few days before the expected closing date.

Knox Box

A “Knox Box” is a safe-like box installed on the outside of your home that securely keeps a door key readily accessible to the Fire Department in case of an emergency where you or a family member cannot let responding crews in. We use a special key specific to Orange Village to access this lock box and gain entry into your home. This system allows quicker access to you and avoids unnecessary damage to gain entry.

The boxes are reserved for residents with medical conditions that may prevent them from getting to the door to let paramedics in. It is a safe and reliable method for entering your home when time matters.

Contact Fire Chief Larry Genova at 440.287.5071 to arrange for one of these units. A $200 deposit is required upon installation and will be refunded once the box is returned.

Residential Knox Box Authorization Form

Birthday Party

The Orange Village Fire Department is available for a limited amount of birthday parties each year for Orange Village residents only.

Residents must first reserve the Wooddell Room in Village Hall by calling Anna Girardi at 440.498.4400.

Click here for the Facility Reservation Form

Once this room is reserved, contact Assistant Fire Chief Mandich at 440.287.5072.

During your party, we will arrange to spend 15-20 minutes with the birthday party and highlight basic fire safety.

The Wooddell Room must be cleaned and garbage taken to dumpster after use.

Orange Village Residents Only, subject to availability.

Smoke Detector Service

If you are unable to change the batteries in your smoke detectors, please call 440.498.4402. The Fire Department will be happy to assist. Working smoke detectors are a vital part of home safety.