1. 4 Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement, And Fire And Life Safety Education Unit 4

2. 4 Learning Objectives Discuss fire prevention code enforcement functions. Describe what is necessary in a fire protection organization and the sources of standards, codes, and enabling legislation. Identify fire department functions and the role of personnel related to fire prevention and fire and life safety education.. Discuss goal-setting and ways to evaluate the effectiveness for fire and life safety educational programs. Discuss the target audiences and identify what groups in a community are likely to be most at risk, and list programs that can be used to reach them.

3. 4 Introduction Fire prevention activities Fire prevention was secondary to suppression – Now focuses on many activities Fire and life safety education – Part of fire prevention effort – Increases awareness – Develops skills and knowledge – May include specialized training Safety education – Reach all ages – Audiences

4. 4 Fire Prevention and Code Enforcement Function of fire prevention – Methods Inspection Enforcement Public fire safety education Fire investigation Engineering Function of fire prevention continued – Fire suppression personnel History of fire prevention Fire prevention codes, standards, and recommended practices – Terms – National Fire Codes – Regulations supported with inspections.

5. 4 Organization for Fire Prevention Chief of fire prevention or local fire marshal Fire inspector or fire prevention officer Fire protection engineer Responsibility for fire prevention Alternative organizational patterns Assignment into shifts Fire prevention activities in volunteer departments

6. 4 Standards, Codes, and Enabling Legislation Federal government – Interstate and international laws – National parks and forests – Armed forces – Research on fire prevention and protection – Canada National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) – Adopted more widely each year – Protect millions throughout the world – Used in many contexts American Insurance Association (AIA) Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Local codes and ordinances

7. 4 Inspections Ensuring adherence to regulations – Inspection – Enforcement Qualified inspectors Inspections of hazards in various occupancies Target properties Objectives of inspections Types of inspections and personnel – Company – Technical Fire prevention bureau Pre-incident planning and training Private homes

8. 4 Inspections The inspection process – Review records related to area. – Make list of items to look for. – Before entering, examine property, check fire escapes, survey for obstruction. The inspection process continued – Inform the person in charge an inspection is to be made. – Inspection often begins at roof. – Special attention to items of interest Pre-incident planning Computerized inspection procedures Non-compliance with regulations Inspector appearance Correction of violations

9. 4 Fire Department Functions Related to Fire Prevention Construction plans review Consultation Public fire and life safety education Records and reports Fire investigation Water supply

10. 4 Personnel Assignment and Fire Prevention Priorities Personnel assignment National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control (1973) Expansion of fire prevention activities Role of the company officer in fire prevention Fire prevention goals and objectives for company officer and chief Legal foundations to enforce fire code regulations Individual rights versus public protection Fire code retroactivity in life safety codes Role of company officer in legal matters

11. 4 Overview of Fire and Life Safety Education President’s Commission on Fire Prevention and Control Direct action by government Learn Not to Burn ® programs Injury in America Risk Watch TM Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

12. 4 Organizing for Fire and Life Safety Education Programs Identifying needs – Questions – Answers – Focus is to generate interest and cooperation. Setting goals and objectives – List sample goals and objectives. – Include KSAs. – Take course in fire and life safety education. – Participation by those involved and affected – Programs have learning objectives. Distributing program materials – Materials – Distributors

13. 4 Organizing for Fire and Life Safety Education Programs Pilot programs Schoolchildren Children in alternative education Boy scouts, girl scouts, and other activity groups Adults Older adults Residents of hospitals, nursing homes, and other group homes Motels and hotels Media

14. 4 Organizing for Fire and Life Safety Education Programs (7 of 7) Monitoring, evaluating, and improving the program – Ask questions – Track performance – Monitor effectiveness

15. 4 Summary Fire prevention activities deserve greater resources than they have received. Major goal of code or standard is to provide safety to life and property from fire. Members should be thoroughly familiar with codes at all levels. Participation and coordination with other functions enhance a company’s and a department’s productivity. Competence enhancement in prevention is of great importance. Officer who considers satisfaction ensures that positives dominate negatives.

16. 4 Summary Fire and life safety education increases awareness and develops skills and knowledge. Managers of programs – Identify problems and audiences – Design a program – Deliver the right program to the right people Considerations – Resources for fire and life safety education effort – Plans to be prepared – Schedules to develop for events – More fire fighter interest and involvement – Training for fire fighters and others involved – Nontangible rewards