The Fire
Prevention Bureau has two major responsibilities: fire inspections
and investigations, and fire education.
Fire Education.
Lieutenant Mike Shirey directs the township's fire education efforts. The bureau provides fire education classes to
3000 children a year,
both in local schools and at the fire station. Lieutenant
Shirey and other members of the department demonstrate fire safety
tips to the children during the year.
The bureau
operates the Juvenile Fire Setters Program. The aim of this
program is to interview and counsel children who are overly
curious about fires and to make their parents aware through
participation in this program, as well.
The bureau
conducts a fire extinguisher education program for the business
community. The program uses a video, lectures, and hands-on
demonstrations to teach the public about the proper way to use fire extinguishers.
The bureau works
with principals and teachers in schools located in the township's coverage area to
ensure that fire drills are properly completed. In addition, at
the beginning of each school year, the bureau provides handouts to
administrators and teachers explaining the principles of building and room
safety, such as proper wall hangings, extension cords, and locations of exits.
When new
commercial buildings in the Truro area are under construction, the Fire
Prevention Bureau photographs each building several times while the
construction progresses. The department's firefighters study the
photos to become familiar with the physical aspects of each new
building.
Fire
Inspections and Investigations. Lieutenant Stan Wollam
directs fire investigations. Lieutenants Shirey and Wollam
both perform fire inspections.
The Fire
Prevention Bureau inspects more than 750 commercial businesses a year in
the township. The bureau points out Ohio Fire Code violations
to business owners, who then are responsible for correcting any unsafe conditions the
bureau finds on their premises. One of every three inspections
requires a follow-up visit.
The bureau also
inspects private hydrants in the area to ensure that they are
in good working order, and the bureau conducts separate inspections at
the eight schools in the township's coverage area at least three times a
year.
In addition, Ohio regulations
now require inspections of foster care homes for children, which the
bureau performs annually.
Members of the
Fire Prevention Bureau regularly attend seminars designed to increase
their skills and knowledge of fire investigation procedures.
Because of the rise in arson in the United States, these skills are very
important in protecting the community.
