Robertson ch07
- 1. INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTION
Seventh Edition • James C. Robertson
Chapter 7
Organization and
Administration of
Municipal Fire
Prevention Units
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed.
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 2. 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
- 3. 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
- 4. 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
- 5. 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
- 6. 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
- 7. 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
- 8. 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
- 9. 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
- 10. Generalists vs. Specialists
• Generalists • Specialists
– Smaller bureaus – Larger bureaus
– Inspection – Inspector may
– Plan review specialize in
– Fire prevention occupancy type
education – May not be
• All done by efficient
bureau members
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 11. 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
- 12. 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
- 13. 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
- 14. 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
- 15. Fees for Service
• Inspection
• Plan review
• Permits
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e
© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
- 16. 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
- 17. 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
- 18. 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
