What are my responsibilities if I live on a fire access road?

If you live on a flag lot or your house is some distance from the nearest street, then most probably you live on an established fire apparatus access road. The Lewiston Fire Department asks that you check the current condition of your fire apparatus access road.

Fire Code Requirements

These items are Fire Code requirements. The Fire Department will notify homeowners when problems are observed, however, that observation may occur only when a fire engine or ambulance cannot make access during an emergency. Unfortunately, this is how many problems are found. Please take a moment to check the condition of your fire apparatus access road. Attention to these items will ensure the quickest, most efficient response by the Lewiston Fire Department. You don’t want us delayed when seconds may make the difference.

  •  Are any vehicles including campers and/or ATVs parked in the required width/depth of the fire apparatus access road? Fire apparatus access roads must not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles and maintained clear to a height of 13 feet 6 inches. The minimum widths and clearances must be maintained at all times.
  • Is there an address sign at the street? Approved address signs must be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. Signs must be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. Remember, you also need at least a 4 inch high address attached to your house that contrasts the color of your house.
  • Is there sufficient base and gravel to provide all weather access? The fire apparatus access road surface must be constructed and maintained to City of Lewiston Public Works standard.
  • Is the fire apparatus access road longer than 150 feet? Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length must be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus. This area must also be maintained in an unobstructed manner at all times.

Show All Answers

1. Can I burn yard waste within the city limits?
2. Can I have a fire pit in my yard?
3. My cat is up a tree. Can you come get it down?
4. Where do I place smoke detectors in my home?
5. What are my responsibilities if I live on a fire access road?
6. What do firefighters do when they are not responding to emergency calls?
7. What is the city's ISO rating for fire protection?
8. What is a firefighter's work schedule like?
9. When I’m driving down the road and hear/see an emergency vehicle with its lights and sirens on, what is the best thing to do?
10. Where can I go to have my fire extinguisher serviced?
11. Who do I contact to donate a house for fire training?
12. Why do I see fire engines parked at the grocery store?
13. Why do I see firefighters running at the track/exercising in some other way while on-duty?
14. Why does a fire engine respond with an ambulance to a medical call?