Forms, Requests and FAQs

Open Burning Requirements

Within the City of Elkhart

Indiana State Law 326 IAC 4-1-3 and Indiana Fire Code Chapter 3.

1. Open burning is only allowed for recreational or ceremonial purposes. The fires shall not be used for disposal purposes. (i.e. leaf burning/construction waste, etc.)

2. Open burning is prohibited in apartment/condominium complexes and mobile home parks.

3. Only the following can be burned:

a. Clean wood products

b. Paper

c. Charcoal

d. Clean petroleum products (Propane or Natural Gas)

4. Fires must be attended at all times and until completely extinguished.

5. Adequate equipment shall be on-site for extinguishing purposes while burning.

6. No burning during unfavorable weather conditions such as:

a. High winds

b. Temperature inversions

c. Air Stagnation

d. When a pollution alert or air quality action day has been declared

7. A fire shall be extinguished if at any time it creates a:

a. Pollution problem

b. Threat to public health

c. Nuisance

d. Fire hazard

8. Fires that have a fuel area 3 feet in diameter or less and 2 feet high or less must be a minimum of 25 feet from a structure.

Exception: Fires in an approved container (non-combustible sides and bottom) must be a minimum of 15 feet from a structure.

9. Fires with a fuel area greater than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high must be a minimum of 50 feet from a structure.

10. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and Elkhart Fire Dept. must approve fires with a fuel area greater than 125 cubic feet prior to ignition.

The Elkhart Fire Department currently does not offer CPR classes; however, Elkhart General Hospital does. You can find their upcoming class schedule by clicking here. Once you're on their page, use the "Search Classes" box to type in "CPR," and it will display the next available class dates along with the number of seats remaining. will be holding a CPR class and how many seats are left.

To take care of your ambulance bill or ask a question about your statement, please click here. Our secure patient portal is designed to make managing your account simple and stress-free!

Landlord responsibility for smoke alarms (IC 22-11-18-3.5):

• Install functional smoke alarms in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story including basements and livable attics.
• Replace or repair a smoke alarm within 7 working days after receiving written notice of the need for repair or replacement.

Tenant responsibility for smoke alarms (IC 22-11-18-3.5):

• Test smoke alarms at least once every 6 months
• Replace battery (if applicable) every 6 months
• Notify the landlord immediately when a smoke alarm is found to not be in working condition.

If your smoke detector or carbon monoxide (CO) detector is beeping or chirping periodically, it may be indicating that the battery is low and needs to be replaced. Replace the battery as soon as possible and test the detector to ensure it is functioning properly. If the detector continues to beep after replacing the battery, it may need to be reset or replaced. If you or anyone in your home is experiencing symptoms such as headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, or feeling unusually sick, leave the home and call 911 immediately. Our emergency personnel can respond and use specialized meters to check the home for carbon monoxide or other hazards and help ensure your home is safe.

Why You May See Fire Apparatus at Local Businesses

It is common to see fire apparatus at local businesses throughout the community. These stops are a routine part of fire department operations and are not periods of downtime. Crews remain on duty, in service, and prepared to respond at all times.

1. Shift Meals, Logistics, and Readiness

Firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts and are responsible for providing their own meals. Crews remain together and in service throughout the shift.

• Personal Expense: Meals are purchased with firefighters’ personal funds; no tax dollars are used for crew meals.

• Immediate Response: Firefighters continuously monitor their radios and remain close to the apparatus.

• Rapid Departure: Apparatus are positioned to allow for a quick, safe, and unobstructed departure. When a call is received, crews leave immediately.

2. Community Engagement

Routine stops also provide opportunities for firefighters to interact with members of the community and strengthen public relations.

When time and operational demands permit, firefighters may answer questions, discuss fire safety, or provide a closer look at the apparatus. If you see us in the community, feel free to ask about the fire truck—our crews are happy to show it to you when available.

3. Area Familiarization and Pre-Planning

Routine travel throughout the community helps firefighters maintain familiarity with the areas they serve and supports ongoing response planning.

This includes:

• Building Familiarity: Identifying building layouts, access points, construction features, and other factors that may affect emergency operations.

• Roadways and Water Supply: Staying familiar with road changes, new development, traffic patterns, and the locations of hydrants and other water sources.

• Response Efficiency: Maintaining familiarity with local streets and access routes helps crews navigate efficiently during emergency responses.

When you see a fire apparatus out in the community, remember: the crew is still on duty, still in service, and ready to respond.

The City of Elkhart Fire Department is a fully paid professional fire department and does not utilize volunteer firefighters. All firefighters serving the City of Elkhart are professional, paid members of the department.

For information regarding employment opportunities with the Elkhart Fire Department or other positions with the City of Elkhart, please visit the City’s careers page for current job openings and application information.

If you see an Elkhart Fire Department vehicle dropping someone off or parked at the airport, it’s because a department member is attending a training class, conference, or other professional event. Fire Department personnel attend these events just like employees of any other city department or business.