Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed.© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTIONSeventh Edition • James C. Robertson

Chapter 7

Organization and Administration of

Municipal Fire Prevention Units

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Overview

• Local– Primarily a local government responsibility

• State• Federal

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

The Place of Fire Prevention in Municipal Government

• Spelled out in the America Burning report– Local responsibility – Code enforcement should be carried out

locally– Municipal government responsible for

overall administration of government

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Small rural volunteer fire departments are often centers of community activity and play an important role in imparting fire prevention knowledge. (Photo: James C. Robertson)

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Charter Responsibilities

• Identifies fire protection as responsibility of municipality– Some more specific than others– Recent years have seen an expansion of

fire service rolls

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire Service Administration in Municipal Government

• Wide diversity of resources

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire Prevention Functions

• Fire safety education• Inspection• Code enforcement• Investigation to determine cause

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire alarm systems demand the attention of fire safety inspectors. (Photo: Morgantown, West Virginia, Fire Department)

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fire Prevention Bureaus

• Large organizations– Full-time assignments to bureau

• One-member bureaus

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Generalists vs. Specialists

• Generalists– Smaller bureaus– Inspection– Plan review– Fire prevention

education• All done by

bureau members

• Specialists– Larger bureaus– Inspector may

specialize in occupancy type

– May not be efficient

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Sources of Conflict

• Working hours• Perception of less physical punishment• Use of department vehicle• Extent that prevention personnel are in

public eye

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Intensive Inspection Program

• Block inspection– Company-level inspection

• Tactical inspection unit– Task group of inspector focusing on

increased fire areas• Focused area inspection

– Addressing issues that need to be corrected and halting deterioration

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Structure

• Suitable quarters• Communications

– Within department– With public– Hardware needed

• Working hours/schedule

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Sample Department Programs

• Asheville, North Carolina• Springfield, Illinois• Cincinnati, Ohio

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Fees for Service

• Inspection• Plan review• Permits

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

State Responsibilities

• State fire codes• Funding• State-run facilities

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Other Municipal Agencies

• Water department• Police department• Health department• Building department• Planning/zoning functions• Purchasing• Sanitation

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Other Municipal Agencies

• Utilities• Schools• Library• Judicial system• Others

Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ

Summary

• Functions• Organization• Related agencies