Fire prevention bureaus have taken on additional functions beyond traditional fire prevention due to their relevant expertise in areas like construction, hazardous materials, and emergency response. These expanded roles can benefit public safety but also risk distracting from the core mission of fire prevention. Key expanded roles discussed include construction code enforcement, property maintenance inspections, investigating hazardous waste and vacant building issues, and assisting with homeland security and civil defense.

1. Other Fire Prevention Functions Chapter 8

2. Objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to: List nontraditional government functions that are sometimes assigned to fire prevention bureaus Describe the rationale used to justify this action

3. Objectives (cont’d.) Discuss the potential benefits for the public Describe the potential negative impact on the organization’s mission of fire prevention

4. Fire Prevention–Related Functions Fire departments have historically possessed an elastic quality Fire prevention bureaus have branched into complementary/enhancement functions Danger: the original mission can be superseded by other tasks

5. Fire Prevention–Related Functions (cont’d.) Fire threatens the economic viability of every community Investigation of hazardous waste and environmental crimes Natural extension of: Materials regulation Emergency incident mitigation Fire investigation

6. Construction Regulation Requires technical competence in: Structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering and associated trades Professional registration/licensure in engineering/architecture highly desirable Simplistic notion that: All inspections are basically alike That cross-training can overcome all

7. FIGURE 8-2 Fire departments have a vested interest in regulating construction as evidenced by this blocked fi re department connection at a construction site. ( Photo courtesy of Duane Perry )

8. Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Codes provide minimum standards for existing structures for: Light, ventilation, space, heating, sanitation, weather protection, life safety, and fire safety Codes typically adopted in concert with ordinances that require: Registration Inspection of residential rental properties

9. Political Considerations Perception of property maintenance code inspection programs Influenced by: Media reports Views of neighborhood leaders Inspectors legally obligated to report illegal activity encountered during inspections

10. Vacant Structures Vacant and abandoned properties frequently involved in fire Scenes of multiple firefighter fatalities Proactive campaign to reduce/eliminate these structures indispensable Barricading or through demolition

11. Hazardous Waste and Environmental Crime Investigation Some fire bureaus initially scoffed at the idea of hazardous materials regulation Fire prevention bureaus have regulated storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials since there have been fire codes Fire departments one of few organizations able to contain/neutralize hazardous materials release

12. FIGURE 8-4 In many jurisdictions, fire departments and fire prevention bureaus were the logical pick to investigate hazardous waste crimes

13. Homeland Security and Civil Defense Fire departments among the first to respond to domestic terrorism Threat of terrorist attacks enhance the need for: Traditional fire protection Emergency egress systems Safety/security: complementary goals

14. Summary Fire departments/prevention bureaus Logical choices for nontraditional services Construction regulation, hazardous materials regulation and investigation, and civil defense Must ensure that original mission of fire prevention bureau is not lost Property protection and safety from fire