Fire Department

The Philadelphia Fire Department is responsible for extinguishing fires within the City and, upon official request, outside the City. The Department administers and enforces statutes, ordinances and regulations relating to fire and explosion hazards including those dealing with the manufacture, storage, sale, transportation or use of any substance or article which is or may be combustible, flammable or explosive, the installation of any containers for such substances or articles, the installation and use of any equipment which presents a hazard of fire or explosion, and fire escapes, emergency exits, occupancies, fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment in any vessel, vehicle, premises, grounds, structure, building or underground passage.

The services of the Fire Department may be desired or required by a production company, depending on the scope of the production. Whenever possible, on a case by case basis, the Fire Department will attempt to service the production gratis, as long as manpower is available and overtime is not incurred.

Inspections

The Fire Department requires an inspection for any production that involves the staging of an event for the public in a place not commonly used for such (e.g.: The Jay Leno Show at the Philadelphia Marine Center) or if the staged event will involve the blocking of an exit on a previously inspected building.

Inspections are also necessary if a production involves open burning, use of pyrotechnic special effects, and/or any other situation that presents a clear and present danger to the public. It may be necessary to obtain a permit from Licenses & Inspections.

In both situations, the Fire Department will assign a representative to conduct an initial inspection, generally at no charge to the production company. A determination will be made at that time what, if any, personnel and/or equipment will be necessary at the site during the filming. Upgrades and downgrades of both may be made over the course of the production. The production company will be billed accordingly for any manpower, apparatus and/or products (fire foam, clean up materials, etc.) used.

Fire Hydrants and Hoses

The Fire Department can arrange for the use of a hose attached to a fire hydrant for periodic wetting of streets or concentrated cleaning of buildings and streets. A firefighter will be assigned to instruct someone from the production company on the use of the equipment and will determine whether or not the situation requires supervision. Lengths of hose are provided free of charge (providing hose is not damaged and can be reused).

The Fire Department can also arrange for the opening of fire hydrants and the use of a sprinkler for short periods of time free of charge. Again, the Department will assign someone for instruction.

The production company may be charged for the firefighters’ time in both instances, at approximately $48.37 per hour.

Rainbirds

Neither the Fire Department nor the Water Department have rainbirds. You will need to secure one from a private source. (The Fire Department has a snorkel, however, but it is not commonly used in film productions.) You can arrange for the Fire Department (not the Water Department) to pump the water for the rainbird by hiring an Engine Company.

Fire Department Personnel

Dispatcher	$26.29/hour
Firefighter	$48.37/hour
Paramedic	$52.98/hour
Engineer	$53.31/hour
Pilot	$54.69/hour
Lieutenant	$54.77/hour
Captain	$62.49/hour
Battalion Chief	$74.03/hour
Deputy Chief	$83.81/hour

Rates may change according to production.

Equipment and Facilities

The Fire Department has the following equipment and facilities which may be used for film productions. Personnel rates are approximate through June 30, 2008. Equipment rates vary and are available upon request.

Personnel	Required	Per Hour
Fireboat	4 firefighters, 1 pilot and 1 officer	$50.00/hour
Advanced Life Support System Ambulance	2 paramedics	$50.00/hour
Basic Life Support System Ambulance	2 E.M.T.A.’s	$50.00/hour
Ladder or Engine Company (Standard Fire Truck)	dependent on scope of production	$50.00/hour
Light Wagon Company (small truck with large search lights)	1 firefighter	$50.00/hour
Snorkel (can simulate rain in a concentrated area from aerial platform; 85-foot reach; standard engine company must accompany snorkel). This is not a rainbird.	1 firefighter	$50.00/hour
Squirt(platform with nozzle operated by remote control; 45-foot reach; standard engine company must accompany squirt)	1 firefighter	$50.00/hour
Fire Foam	requires basic instruction by Fire Department.	Approximately $25.00 per gallon can based on the Fire Department’s contract price.
70 Fire Stations	Generally available for partial use of the building.
Fire Training Facility	has a fire tower, flammable liquid pits, a railroad car and a tank car used for fire drills. A fire scene can be staged at this facility.
Fire Command Center	Central phone banks, administrative offices, emergency center and conference room.
Fire Museum	houses apparatus circa 1700-1800 that may be used for film productions at the site.