Community Risk

Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement - Part IV

March 9, 2003

For a fire prevention program to be effective, it is imperative to have personnel with the skills, knowledge and abilities to serve in the capacity of Fire Prevention Officer or Inspector.

The first three articles of this series discussed the historical background of fire prevention, the code adoption process, and authority and responsibility for fire prevention and code enforcement efforts. This background information is paramount to the success of any fire prevention program. Any person who may endeavor to be effective in fire prevention and code enforcement efforts at any level, be it local, state, or even in private industry, must have this knowledge to be successful. A pro-active approach to fire prevention is far more effective than a reactive approach. In other words, education about fire prevention and code requirements verses instituting enforcement measures gains more positive results.

We know where fire codes came from, and we know how they are adopted. We further realize the levels of authority and responsibility that are necessary. Now the question is