Ashland Fire Department

05/24/2026

Creating a truly safe community means ensuring every person, regardless of age, ability or circumstance, can move through and use the spaces around them. Communities without limits embrace built environments that are welcoming, intuitive and enjoyable by all. This begins with eliminating physical, sensory and cognitive barriers that prevent people from fully navigating homes, buildings and public spaces to their fullest extent.

When spaces are easy to understand and easy to navigate, they work better for everyone, from children and seniors to people recovering from injury or living with disabilities. Accessible environments are intentionally designed to support the widest range of users. That includes:

* Removing obstacles such as narrow pathways, abrupt level changes or confusing layouts
* Considering sensory needs by incorporating clear signage, visual contrast and auditory cues
* Supporting cognitive accessibility through straightforward wayfinding, simple instructions and predictable design

Meeting accessibility standards is an essential part of building safety. These standards aren’t just legal expectations, they are the building blocks that allow everyone to participate fully in daily life. Foundational features found in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design, the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines and the I-Codes working with ICC A117.1 support usability and safety in homes, workplaces and public spaces. These may include:

* Step-free accessible entrances and exterior routes
* Clearance at elements and fixtures for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices
* Grab bars or reinforcement in bathroom walls
* Accessible operable parts, such as switches, outlets and appliance and plumbing controls, HVAC controls
* Properly designed ramps with edge protection, guards and handrails
* Maneuvering clearances or automatic openers at doors
* Tactile and high-contrast visual signage for wayfinding
* Accessible parking spaces and passenger loading zones
* Planning for accessible means of egress to include everyone who may need assistance

05/17/2026

Resilient buildings and disaster plans save lives. Building Safety Month focuses on how smart design, strong codes and community preparedness work together to reduce the impact of disasters. From earthquakes and floods to hurricanes and wildfires, the built environment plays a critical role in protecting people and property.

Disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility, and when communities plan together, they respond more effectively and recover more quickly. Review these simple, life-saving tips in the resources below, and check out Ready.gov for specific tips on dealing with earthquakes, extreme heat, floods, home fires, hurricanes, tornados, wildfires and more.

* Have an emergency kit on hand with basic necessities, and place all items in a sturdy, closed container outside your home where it can be easily located (restock food and water twice a year)
* Establish a “safety destination” (like a friend’s or relative’s house some distance away), plan several different routes to get there so you can drive around roadblocks or hazards and practice your plan
* Long before storm season approaches, prepare your house to withstand the effects of a natural disaster. Called “mitigation”, this can keep natural hazards from having catastrophic impacts.
* You may need to turn off your gas, water and electricity before you evacuate, so each member of the household should learn when and how to do this

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05/03/2026

A safe community starts with safe homes. During Building Safety Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the everyday hazards that often go unnoticed, and the simple steps every homeowner and occupant can take to prevent incidents before they happen.

Simple, routine efforts can make a big difference in household safety, and a well‑maintained home protects everyone who lives in it. Regular inspections and upkeep help prevent costly damage and keep your household safe. Consider:

* Testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replacing batteries once a year
* Checking electrical panels and outlets for heat, buzzing or discoloration
* Inspecting plumbing for leaks
* Cleaning dryer vents and replacing HVAC system filters per your appliance’s manufacturer recommendations
*Cleaning gutters and removing overgrown plants and debris from the outside of your home

Modern homes include built‑in protections, but only if they’re working properly. Whether you own or rent, being familiar with these features helps prevent emergencies or empowers you to act quickly in an emergency.

* Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm coverage in compliance with local building codes
* Clearly marked and accessible emergency exits
* Fire extinguishers placed in key locations, including hallways, near exit doors, in kitchens, garages, etc.
* Ground‑fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in kitchens, bathrooms, garages and outdoor areas
* Safety gates for stairs and self-latching self-closing pool gates

05/01/2026

UPDATE: We are aware that equipment at our water intake location in the Ohio River detected a substance in the water that was not typical river water. The material has since dissipated and is no longer visible.

Out of an abundance of caution, water plant operators shut down the intake and flushed the intake system. Internal testing indicates the material has moved away or dissolved.

Water treatment operations will resume normal operations shortly and will continue to follow established protocols after an incident of this nature.

There has been no impact to the public water supply, and there is no risk to the public at this time.

We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates if needed.

05/01/2026

UPDATE: At this point the material has dissipated and is no longer visible. Water plant operators have flushed the intake system and internal testing equipment has indicated the material has moved away or dissolved.

The water treatment process will begin normal operations shortly and will follow protocols after an incident of this nature.
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We are aware that equipment at our water intake location in the Ohio River has detected a liquid in the water that is not typical river water, and we are actively working to determine what it is.

Out of an abundance of caution, the intake has been temporarily shut down. There is currently no impact to the water supply, and we will not resume drawing water until conditions are confirmed to be safe.

We are coordinating with appropriate agencies and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

There is no risk to the public water supply at this time.

04/29/2026

🚨 Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Ashland Community Event 🚨
The Ashland Fire Department is proud to partner with the American Red Cross for an important community safety initiative — Sound the Alarm: Save a Life.

🗓 Saturday, May 9, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Ashland, Kentucky
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of death in a home fire by half — and we’re working together to make sure every home in our community is protected.

This event is available to all of Ashland but we are focused on the Midtown Neighborhoods and 47th ST area neighborhoods.

🔴 What we’re doing:
Installing FREE smoke alarms in homes that need them
Helping families create a fire escape plan
Educating residents on fire safety

💪 How you can help:
Request a free smoke alarm installation
Share this post to help spread the word

📲 Request your free installation:
SoundTheAlarm.org/CentralAppalachia
📞 Or call: 1-844-216-8286

If you are in immediate need of a smoke detector and would not like to wait for the event, contact our Central Station at 606-385-3233 and we can have a crew install the same day in most cases.

This is a great opportunity to make a real difference in our community. A working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death — let’s make sure every home in Ashland is covered.

04/27/2026

Fire is FAST!
There is little time to escape. It only takes minutes for thick, black smoke to fill your home.

The Ashland Fire Department provides free installation of smoke detectors within the City limits. Please call 606-385-3234 to schedule an appointment based on your schedule.

04/13/2026