CARTERSVILLE FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION 2012 ANNUAL REPORT
Fire Prevention Division Members Fire Marshal Mark Hathaway Cell: 678-449-7213 Email:mhathaway@cityofcartersville.org Captain Eric Williams Cell: 404-391-6654 Email:ewilliams@cityofcartersville.org Lieutenant Mike Taylor Cell: 404-391-6652 Email: mtaylor@cityofcartersville.org We will strive to be a model of excellence in providing fire prevention, public education, inspections and any other related services at the local, state and national levels. We will be an organization dedicated to continuous improvement in every detail of the services we provide. Our organization will foster the atmosphere of trust, involvement, innovation, creativity and accountability. We will be responsive to the needs and priorities of our community as identified by both the Fire Department and the residents. We value the faith and trust of the community, and continually work to deserve that confidence through our caring attitude, conduct, and accomplishments. We value and respect all members of our organization and support each individual s efforts to achieve their highest potential. We value teamwork, honesty, respect, tolerance, and compassion. We value responsibility, integrity, initiative, and education. We value the pursuit of excellence. We value effectiveness, efficiency, and economy. We value an innovative environment which enhances the efficient delivery of our services. We value our ability to anticipate, influence and embrace change.
Goals, Missions and Objectives of the Fire Prevention Division Preventing any incident that is a threat to life or property is the first concern of Cartersville Fire Department. The Fire Prevention Division is headed by Fire Marshal Mark Hathaway. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for building life safety plan review, new and existing building life safety inspections, origin and cause fire investigations, and the coordination of public education programs. The public education programs are administered by our two inspectors and the Fire Marshal. These personnel have formed an in-house Public Education Team. Programs are delivered at shopping centers, schools, and other city functions. Additionally, the Cartersville Fire Explorers Post 112 helps throughout the city at different functions. Fire Prevention Administration Mission Statement To provide effective management and leadership while assuring accountability of Division resources and purchases. Goals and Objectives To evaluate and monitor existing activities and work to increase customer service. To provide the resources necessary to perform daily job functions. To enhance automation of record keeping, inspections and reports. Plan Review and Inspections Mission Statement To provide informed inspections and plan reviews in a timely manner to assure the safety of all citizens and visitors in Cartersville, Georgia. Goals and Objectives To complete properly submitted plans within five (5) business days. To complete fire inspections within 48 hours of request. To complete an audit of the Division staff job duties to determine and/or verify proper job classification for salaries versus duties. To enhance automated inspection reporting. To maintain compliance with State and federally mandated code compliance through sound inspections and timely re-inspections of non-compliant properties.
Fire Investigation Mission Statement To reduce the number of accidental fires and injuries by identifying cause and origin of all fires and educating people on these determinations. Goals and Objectives To maintain 24 hour investigator response availability. To commit time and resources for complex investigation scenes that can lead to the arrest of the individual(s) responsible once the investigation reveals that a fire was intentionally started. To establish a database of causes of accidental fires so we may monitor patterns and structure public education programs and press/media releases to address known fire causes. Public Education Mission Statement To provide effective educational programs to all ages and mobility s in order to reduce the risk of injury from fire and other causes. Goals and Objectives To identify target groups and provide education suitable to their specific needs. To establish outlines so that programs are uniformly delivered city- wide. To motivate and educate citizens, business owners and everyone affiliated with city government that it is better to prevent a fire than it is to extinguish one. Enhanced education and inspection programs do produce measurable results.
2012 Inspection Snapshot Inservice Bldg. Add. Change New Bus. Reinsp. New Bldg. State Misc. Totals Mark 7 0 5 15 2 1 12 845 887 Eric 641 0 4 35 6 1 3 1 691 Mike 639 0 5 44 0 0 0 30 718 Totals 1287 0 14 94 8 2 15 876 2296 Recorded Inspections 1420 2500 2000 Inspections by Inspector and Type 1500 Mark 1000 Eric 500 Mike 0 Inservice Bldg. Add. Change New Bus. Reinsp. New Bldg. State Misc. Totals Totals Fire Prevention Division Activities Number of Participants Fire Investigations 12 Public Education Participants 4443 School Inspections 17 (station tours, events) School Fire Drills 15 Plan Approvals 18 Fire Safety House Participants 1158 Temporary Sign-Off 54 Fire Safety Checklist 229 Fire Extinguisher Participants 183 Knox Boxes 34 Fireworks Permits 3 Total 5784 Risk Assessment 181 Smoke Detectors 56 Burn Permit 10 Total 629 Training Hours Mark 231.50 Eric 159.50 Mike 173
Public Education Public fire safety education is a very important part our fire prevention efforts and much emphasis put into it throughout the year. In 2012, we had a total of 5784 participants in the various fire safety programs. This is a 16% increase in total fire prevention participants. These programs include: Fire Safety House demonstrations, fire station tours and puppet shows, clown shows at schools, fire extinguisher classes, Fire Safety Open House, and other various city and civic functions. This is the second year of Family Fun Nights. These Family Fun Nights were held at several shopping centers and featured the Fire Safety House and clowns. These events were a huge hit with the citizens. The Cartersville Fire Explorers Post 112 members were used to operate the fire safety house and instruct kids on how to get out of a smoke filled house. The Explorers also continued to help with parking a various city functions throughout the year. Another important public safety program is our free smoke alarms. Any city resident that cannot afford to purchase their own smoke alarms can receive two (2) free at Cartersville Fire Headquarters. Also, those needing help with installation can get assistance from fire personnel as well. Smoke alarms are statistically proven to increase survival rates in residential fires. In 2012, 56 smoke alarms were distributed. This program received a huge boost in December of 2012 when the Home Depot donated 2500 smoke alarms to the Cartersville Fire Department. These units are equipped with a 10 year lithium battery that is good for the life of the alarm. Smoke alarms, regardless of type, should be replaced after 10 years. These new smoke alarms eliminate the need to replace the battery annually, though monthly testing is still necessary. The Cartersville Fire Department is very thankful for this donation and we look forward to getting these units into the homes that need them. Inspections The Cartersville Fire Prevention staff continues to follow the mission of serving the community through protection of lives and property by providing public safety education and a large part of this is done through fire safety code compliance inspections. During these code compliance inspections our inspectors can educate the Cartersville business community on how to protect their business, employees, and patrons from the dangers of fire. This element of education is paramount to effective code compliance within our business community. With the continued downturn in the economy and the lack of new construction projects we have been able to concentrate on inspecting existing occupancies for fire code compliance. Our goal remains the same, all businesses in Cartersville inspected for compliance once annually. Schools, industrial and manufacturing facilities, daycares, and assembly occupancies inspected for compliance twice annually. In 2012, Cartersville Fire Prevention personnel performed 1,420 recorded fire inspections. This was an 8% increase in this type of inspection over 2011. Additionally, 876 miscellaneous inspections were completed by staff. These include any inspection service that was performed without a paper record. Examples include: courtesy inspections, site evaluations, office visits, etc. In July of 2012, a previous goal was met with the implementation of the use of Ipad s and the FHInspector app for fire safety compliance inspections. Though the learning curve has been steep, most of the bugs have been worked out of the system now and they are working great. The ease and convenience of the Ipad s is fantastic and allows the inspectors to review previous inspections in the field. Both the FHInspector and FHWeb version have saved valuable time that was once spent in the office and have allowed for more time in the field.
Investigations Fire Marshal Mark Hathaway and Assistant Fire Marshal Eric Williams were deputized by Safety Fire Commissioner Hudgens as fire investigators at the 2012 Georgia Firefighters Recognition Day. This gives Cartersville fire prevention personnel greater responsibility in the field of fire investigations and allows us to perform these investigations as a representative for the state of Georgia when necessary. Cartersville Fire investigators performed 12 origin and cause investigations in 2012. These causes are broken down as follows: Accidental 3; 2- electrical, 1- woods, Undetermined- 4, Incendiary- 5. The number of incendiary fires was up but fortunately none of these resulted in injury and property damage was very slight. These ranged from molotov cocktails thrown in a yard to a closet fire in a nursing home. Fire suppression and prevention crews have worked very well over the last 12 months and have opened a good line of communication between them. This communication is imperative to the effectiveness of both divisions. There is a noticeable difference in the confidence of the company officers to make origin and cause determinations and to only call for an investigator when necessary. In 2013, we look to solidify and improve the quality of origin and cause fire investigations by both the company officers and fire investigation personnel.
Mark Hathaway Fire Marshal 2012 Accomplishments Personal goals are an effective way of gauging how successful we are in our own job performance. As a division, Fire Prevention sets goals and gauges the progress throughout the year and this is reflected in others areas of this report. Each year I ask that each member submit a personal accomplishments summary so they can reflect on how their own personal goals are being met. My key personal 2012 accomplishments are as follows: Promoted Fire Safety Education through radio and newspaper public safety announcements Promoted good solid origin and cause investigations Sworn in as a deputized fire investigator for the State of Georgia Prepared and submitted monthly Fire Prevention Division reports to Chief Carter Completed Associate of Fire Science Technology program (4.0 GPA) Exceeded all required training requirements for certification in Inspections, Education, and Fire Investigations Helped implement the change to FHWeb version and Ipads on each first responding unit Helped implement the use of FHInspector to do field fire safety code compliance inspections via Ipad Designed and delivered courses on residential sprinkler systems and smoke alarms to the 2012 recruit class Attended the NFA delivered Residential Sprinkler Plan Review course at the Georgia Fire Academy
2012 ACCOMPLISHMENT For CAPTAIN Eric Williams CITY of CARTERSVILLE Fire Department The year of 2012 has been a successful year for me in the fire prevention office; I had no loss time injuries at work and no family illnesses at home that kept me away from work of which I am thankful, because of this the fire prevention office total number are up from last year 1,256 to this year s numbers of 1, 420. These numbers come from all areas related to fire prevention. My personal accomplishment for the 2012 year has been rewarding. I am still working towards a fire science degree from Georgia Northwestern Technical School; I am 3 to 4 classes away from completing the degree program. As a requirement of the State of Georgia and the Cartersville Fire Department, I am proud to have met all recertification training in fire investigation, fire inspections, and public education. As a Captain in fire prevention, I am continuing to grow as an officer. My leadership skills have improved from year to year I can delegate duties more and know that the work will get done. I will always try to set a good example for others to follow not only in prevention but for the suppression crews as well. I am also becoming more confident in my role as asst. fire marshal with my decision making when Mark is away I am learning code and understanding them more. I must mention the new ipad s; these computers have been great for inspections when the information is available. They are certainly making our job easier and more efficient. I would like to thank my coworkers for a job well done for the year of 2012, as I mentioned earlier in this letter our numbers are up let s keep up the good work and professionalism when dealing with the public. As for as fire investigation, I am proud to say that my fire investigation are down from 7 in 2011 to 4 in 2012 for me that is certainly an accomplishment thank you suppression. In closing, I look forward to serving the public in 2013 because the Cartersville Fire Department will keep striving for excellence. Thank you, Captain Eric Williams Fire Prevention Office
William M. Taylor 2012 Accomplishments My accomplishments in 2012 included completing in -house required training hours at the City of Cartersville Fire Department. Also attended GPSTC to fulfill additional training in fire investigation,public education,and fire inspection as required throughout the year. As part of the Georgia Public Fire Safety Education team, I attended meetings to promote fire safety. Serving as the Lead Advsior for the City of Cartersville Fire Explorers,great strides were made to encourage participants to serve the community and instill honorable work ethics and discipline. This was accomplished through working events through out the community, And their were a couple of fire explorers that graduated high school and went own to college. Additionally,I made contributions to the City of Cartersville Inspection Division in Accomplishing more fire inspections than in previous years. I achieved inspection goals for each month. I also plan to use the Senior Citizens Fire Saftey Lesson Plan that I developed this pass year in the near future. William M. Taylor
2013 Fire Prevention Division Goals Perform annual fire safety code compliance inspections at all Cartersville businesses Perform semi-annual fire safety code compliance inspections at all high hazard, industrial, and large assembly occupancies Perform solid fire investigations following the current edition of NFPA 921 All members meet the training requirements set by GFSTC and CFD Distribute all 2500 smoke alarms we received from Home Depot Deliver classes to suppression personnel on: o Fire Safety House Setup and Operation o Residential Fire Sprinklers and Smoke Alarms o Delivery of Fire Safety Curriculum by Age Provide fire extinguisher classes to all city departments Expand fire prevention programs to include all ages Create new fire safety programs for all age groups and disabilities Burn Foundation boot drive Photograph Knox box locations and attach to occupancy in FireHouse