Report fires for safety, insurance reasons Published July 1, 2008 By Brian Cullen 436th CES Fire Department DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- In the event of a home fire, there are many steps to take, and for a small fire that can be easily extinguished without the aid of the fire department, there are also several steps anyone should follow. The first step is to call 911, even if a fire extinguisher is nearby and the fire has been put out. A 911 call will result in the fire department coming to ensure the fire is extinguished. Even though the fire was small and extinguished quickly, there is no guarantee the fire hadn't spread. Fire has a tendency to get behind cupboards and into walls where it can not be found easily. The fire department will check for fire in the walls and other concealed spaces, while also clearing smoke from the home, helping to reduce damage to personal belongings. The 911 call will also generate a fire report, which is necessary when filing an insurance claim. Insurance companies use the fire report to complete the claim for structural and property damage. Without this report, delays may happen in the insurance claims process, which could cause delays when trying to repair or replace damaged items. Fires that occur on base, in base housing or in the local community, should be called into 911 so the fire department can respond and report the fire. This is an essential step in protecting yourself and your loved ones by allowing the fire department to ensure the fire has not spread to concealed spaces, and provide documentation the insurance company will need.