Fire extinguishers in all Jackson County buildings are now being tested twice a year after concern was raised last July that the equipment was not being properly maintained.
County purchasing agent Robert Martinez said the county's maintenance department is testing the fire extinguishers every six months instead of the annual testing that's required.
"We made the decision to turn it over to the maintenance department," he said. "The maintenance manager is trained in how to do it and he's responsible for all of them."
Martinez said this method of testing was chosen rather than having someone in each building perform the test and sign off on it.
At a Board of Supervisors meeting in July 2004, Martinez said a run-through in some buildings revealed devices missing or difficult to locate, and they had not been routinely checked for viability.
Martinez suggested the county extend its contract with the company that was supplying the fire extinguishers until the county could catch up on the program.
"The contract was extended and those problems have been addressed," he said. "All of the equipment is working as it should now."
Butch Loper, who took over leadership of the county's Emergency Management Office one year ago, is also the county's safety director.
"When (extinguisher) testing is finished each time, the maintenance department will report the results to me," he said.
Distributed by the Associated Press
