The Knox Box system is used by Albany Fire Department to expedite entry and eliminate property damage caused by the forcible entry required for evaluation of emergency situations and easily secure the building when leaving.
What is a Knox Box? A highly secure, U.L. listed, nearly impenetrable steel vault for the storage of entry keys, fire alarm panel keys, or mechanical system keys for Fire Department use.
Who has the keys to my Knox Box? The keys to access Knox Boxes are located in electronically audited locked boxes inside emergency response vehicles and cannot be duplicated.
Albany Fire Department has used the Knox Box system since the mid-1970s. To date there have been no stolen, broken, or illegally accessed boxes.
What authority allows the Fire Department to require me to buy/install a Knox Box? Section 506 of the 2019 Oregon Fire Code (OFC) reads, “When access to or within a structure or an area is unduly difficult because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life saving or fire fighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.” The fire code official for the Albany Fire Department is the Fire Marshal.
When are Knox Boxes required? The Fire Marshal has determined that all buildings containing automatic fire alarm, fire sprinkler, or fire suppression sprinkler systems shall provide a Knox Box and the required keys for access to the building.
Why? There is a real possibility of an alarm occurring when the business is locked and vacant. The availability of a key allows firefighters to safely enter the building, without causing damage, to evaluate the conditions and secure the premises.
Mounting Instructions
- Mount on the striker side of the main entrance or riser/fire control room door.
- Knox Box should be 6 feet from ground to center of box.
- Knox Box shall not be blocked from plain view.
- Knox Box shall not project more than 4 inches out into a walking surface.
Important information for contractors/installers
Your Knox Box shall be installed:
- Prior to approval for building/space occupancy as designated on your approved building construction plans. If not indicated, contact the Albany Fire Department and a Deputy Fire Marshal will visit your site to approve location prior to installation.
- If you are unsure or have questions, call 541-917-7700 prior to mounting the box.
- Once the Knox Box is mounted and you are ready to lock keys inside, call 541-917-7700 to request assistance.
Ordering and installing your Knox Box
- See this flyer for more information (pdf)
- Call 541-917-7700 for additional assistance.
- knoxbox.com
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March 2015
Busiest Engine
Engine 11:
196 calls
Busiest Medic
Medic 12:
237 calls
624 total calls
for service
Previous Monthly Data
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Albany Safety Foundation
The Albany Safety Foundation (ASF) is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The main purpose of the foundation is to raise funds for the following Fire and Police programs in Albany.
One example of the work the foundation has done to date is training in CPR and proper heart defibrillator (AED) use to approximately 700 Greater Albany Public Schools 8th grade students each school year. Additionally, the foundation has helped equip 14 Albany Police Department patrol cars and qualifying City public places with AEDs.
You can make a donation by visiting the foundation website at
Albany Firefighters Community Assistance Fund (AFFCAF)
AFFCAF has been a local non-profit organization since 2004 and serves the community through the Albany Fire Department. Fire Department staff sees the emergency needs firsthand and many of these needs are outside the scope of ambulance, fire, and rescue services. AFFCAF provides Fire Department staff the opportunity to help with these other needs, like providing temporary financial assistance to fire or accident victims; transportation to the hospital when an ambulance is unwarranted; bike helmets for local youth and adults; free use of safety vests for water activities; and much more!
AFFCAF serves all residents living in the city of Albany, Albany Rural Fire Protection District, North Albany Rural Fire Protection District, Palestine Rural Fire Protection District, and the ambulance service district served by Albany Fire Department.
AFFCAF's mission statement is the same as that of the Albany Fire Department, "Prevent and Protect From Harm." The AFFCAF Board of Directors includes a minimum of five members, striving to maintain representation from Albany Fire Department Administration, Life Safety Division, Emergency Services response personnel, and retirees.
Funding for AFFCAF is generated by an annual golf tournament, private donations, and AFD employee contributions. Administrative costs represent less than two percent of the funding provided through AFFCAF.
Pick up your blue bag to help AFFCAF!
You can help AFFCAF by picking up a blue Bottle Drop bag from Albany Station 11 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Fill it up and return to any Bottle Drop location.
https://bottledrop.com/fundraiser/albany-fire-fighters-community-assistance-fund-affcaf/
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Fire Suppression
Emergency services personnel respond to fires, drownings, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, and natural/manmade disasters.
Available personnel assigned to fire apparatus assist medical crews at heart attacks, breathing difficulties, motor vehicle accidents, and traumas.
9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch
The City of Albany contracts with Linn County Sheriff's Office to provide 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Services.
EMS
City ambulances provide emergency and medically neccessary transportation for Albany and approximately 250 square miles of Linn and Benton Counties.
HazMat
More information coming soon
Rescue Teams
More information coming soon
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Albany Mobility Development Plan Survey
Help shape Albany’s future transportation options — take our survey and tell us what you need to get around more easily.
Recent calls Listen to Linn Co. dispatch
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