FY2022

FIRE PREVENTION The Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) continues to serve the citizens of Iowa City through fire code enforcement, plans review, fire origin and cause determination, and public education programs. The Fire Prevention Bureau is directed by a Battalion Chief assigned as Fire Marshal, who in- turn reports to the Deputy Fire Chief. The Fire Marshal is directly responsible for organizing all fire prevention activities, including fire/arson investigation, code enforcement inspections, plan reviews, and public education. One firefighter from each shift serves as shift fire inspector, and conducts inspections of liquor license establishments, schools, day care centers, churches, and City buildings. Emergency operations personnel conduct fire safety inspections of all commercial and University of Iowa buildings. Multiple educational opportunities exist with each inspection: an opportunity to increase fire safety awareness through explanation of a violation and associated hazard, firefighters can become familiar with the building, and an opportunity to foster community relationships. The continued growth of the city provides additional challenges and opportunities as the Fire Marshal is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and any new buildings or businesses must be inspected and approved by the AHJ before being occupied. The wide range of activities provided by fire and life-safety educators include daycare/preschool and school presentations, Kids Safety House visits, Safety Village, UI Resident Assistant Fire Academy, senior safety tips for older adults, and crowd manager training for assembly occupancy employees. Building on a long partnership with SAFE KIDS Johnson County, the department has also trained additional personnel and designated Station 4 as a child safety seat “FIT Station.” The program “Fired Up About Reading”, which focused on getting at-risk school kids to read outside of school, continues to grow and prosper, and is still highly sought after by various schools and classes. This program also provided the opportunity for these youth to interact with public service individuals in a positive way. Investigation of fires is an integral part of fire prevention. All reported fires are investigated by a company officer and/or a member of the fire investigation team in an attempt to determine the origin and cause. Information gathered during investigations is used to in planning efforts to assess risk in the community and subsequently drive public education efforts. Fire investigation team members have received specialized training and are required to complete continuing education requirements on a regular basis.

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