Featured Location
Reading Terminal Market interior by Larry Laszlo time
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 $50.81 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 $50.81/hour
Paramedic $55.66/hour
Engineer $56.01/hour
Pilot $57.45/hour
Lieutenant $57.54/hour
Captain $65.65/hour
Battalion Chief $77.77/hour
Deputy Chief $85.05/hour
Rates may change according to production.
EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES -The Fire Department has the following equipment and facilities that may be used for film productions. Personnel rates are approximate through July 1, 2009. Equipment rates vary and are available upon request.
Fireboat - Personnel required:
3 firefighters, 1 engineer, 1 pilot and 1 officer $50.00/hour
Advanced Life Support System $50.00/hour
Ladder or Engine Company (Standard Fire Truck) – Personnel required: dependent on scope of production $50.00/hour
Light Wagon Company (small truck with large search lights) - Personnel required:1 firefighter $50.00/hour
Ambulance – Personnel required:
2 paramedics
Basic Life Support System Ambulance - Personnel required: 2 E.M.T.A.’s $50.00/hour
The Fire Department can also arrange for the opening of fire hydrants and the use of a sprinkler for short periods of time.
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 - personnel required: 2 firefighters $60.00/hour
Squirt (platform with nozzle operated by remote control; 45-foot reach; standard engine company must accompany squirt) Personnel required: 1 firefighter $60.00/hour
Fire Foam - requires basic instruction by Fire Department. Price for foam is approximately $45.00 per gallon – (Can be based on the Fire Dept. 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.
