THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
Reduction of loss of life and property begins with a well-organized, efficient fire prevention bureau.
It may be called the bureau of combustibles, the fire marshal’s office, or the fire prevention bureau, depending on the jurisdiction. Whatever the name, the goal is the same: to reduce the loss of life and property due to fire. As more and more emphasis is placed on proactive means of reducing losses due to fire, the public will look increasingly to the fire prevention bureau to provide solutions.
Here is a brief overview of what constitutes the fire prevention bureau.
ORGANIZATION
The fire marshal (or fire official) is the head of the bureau and reports to the chief of department. The fire marshal is responsible for the overall efforts of the fire prevention bureau. It is his duty to provide direction for the bureau and move it foward. He also must interact with other fire department division heads to inform them of important developments and assist them in their endeavors. The fire marshal typically holds the rank of assistant chief.
FIRE I’IIDEMIDN
THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
At the next level of authority the bureau branches into three distinct sections, headed by two uniformed assistant fire marshals (holding the rank of battalion chief) and a civilian technical services administrator. One assistant fire marshal is responsible for the bureau’s overall code enforcement and public education efforts. He allocates available resources to accomplish the bureau’s inspection and public education goals.
The other assistant fire marshal handles the fire investigation responsibilities, ensuring that fires are promptly, efficiently, and thoroughly investigated. He works closely with city, county, and state agencies that are also involved in fire investigations.
The technical services administrator, often a fire protection engineer, is responsible for all plan reviews conducted by the bureau. This typically involves approving subdivision plans, building permits, and fire protection system plans. He is responsible for resolving technical fire protection problems encountered by the bureau and the rest of the department.
The field inspectors form the backbone of the bureau’s code compliance section. Usually holding the rank of captain or lieutenant, they carry out routine inspections and inspect new buildings. They often are organized on a sector basis, with two or three inspectors assigned to each firefighting battalion district.
A public education officer (holding the rank of captain), who reports to the assistant fire marshal, provides prevention seminars and public information and often follows up on recent fires to study how to prevent them in the future. He usually coordinates Fire Prevention Week activities.
Fire investigators, who report to the assistant fire marshal in charge of investigations, determine the origin and cause of fires within the department’s jurisdiction. Typically holding the rank of captain or lieutenant, they often have police training to assist them in investigations.
The civilian fire plan reviewers and fire protection engineers analyze and review plans. They provide technical interpretations and information on the bureau’s codes and meet with developers, architects, contractors, and engineers.
Support staff, in the form of clerical assistance, is an often overlooked but important part of the bureau’s organization. At least one secretary is needed for each of the three branches and the fire marshal usually has an executive secretary. Additional staff for record keeping is usually necessary as well.
STAFFING
Most people who work in fire prevention are firefighters and officers who are promoted to the bureau. Other individuals may be transferred to the bureau because of medical reasons. Still others simply may end up there to ride out their final years in the department.
It is important that individuals in the fire prevention bureau have a desire to work there. A lot of time, money, and training are required to staff a bureau properly. High turnover of personnel due to lack of interest will severely hamper an otherwise effective fire prevention program.
In the past most individuals (other than clerical personnel) on staff have been uniformed firefighters—lateral movement from outside the department had been fairly rare. Recently, however, some bureaus have hired civilian staff members to supplement and sometimes replace uniformed members. Civilians perform plan review services as fire protection engineers and fire plan checkers. They often staff public education programs and work as inspectors.
When selecting civilian inspectors, fire plan checkers, and fire protection engineers, it is important to hire individuals with fire department and fire protection experience. Proper fire code enforcement requires a tremendous amount of firefighting knowledge.
Some cities choose to hire civilian inspectors and plan checkers because of financial cost-containment considerations. In the case of fire protection engineers, the reason is often to ensure a high level of technical expertise on complicated projects.
Training fire prevention bureau personnel is essential. Initial training is often centered around teaching the bureau’s practices and procedures and then taking an in-depth look at the various codes and laws enforced in the jurisdiction.
For inspectors and plan reviewers, training includes reviewing various types of fire hazards (hazardous processes, operations, storage, and so on) as well as building construction and fire protection systems.
THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
For fire investigators, police training is usually provided, with the ultimate goal of making them certified peace officers. In addition, investigators study fire dynamics and proper fire investigation techniques.
Recently several states have begun mandating minimum, standardized training levels for fire inspectors and investigators. Hopefully more states will follow this lead.
Providing in-service training for members is an essential element of an effective fire prevention program. Codes and laws are constantly changing and new technologies are rapidly evolving. Without periodic training, personnel cannot perform their duties adequately.
Traditionally, in-house training had been the norm. More recently college fire science programs have provided an opportunity for fire prevention personnel to obtain college degrees. In addition, the National Fire Academy, satellite TV, and prerecorded video programs have broadened many fire inspectors’ training.
CODES AND STATUTES
With the exception of public education programs, most bureau activities involve the enforcement of fire protection laws. Up-to-date and comprehensive codes and statutes are essential.
The fire code is the document that gives members of the bureau the ability to carry out their inspection and plan review duties. It establishes a minimum level of fire safety throughout the community.
Most often the jurisdiction adopts a model fire prevention code. The three major model codes are the National Fire Prevention Code (used in the Northeast, Midwest, and Middle Atlantic states), the Uniform Fire Code (used in the West and Southwestern
states), and the Standard Fire Prevention Code (used in the Southern states). Local amendments usually are adopted along with the model code.
Arson investigators often are charged with enforcing arson laws adopted at the state level. They also usually enforce laws adopted locally
regarding fire origin and cause.
Assembling and maintaining an effective fire prevention program begins with an understanding of the makeup of its epicenter—the fire prevention bureau.!
