Enivronmental_ESSAY

FIR 3303 , Introduction to Fire Prevention 1 Cou rse Learning Outcomes for Unit VII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 4. Define the functions of a fire prevention bureau . 4.1 Discuss nontraditional functions and how these might impact the fire prevention bureau mission or goals, such as developing Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs). Reading Assignment Chapter 8: Other Fire Prevention Functions Chapter 11: Fire Preven tion Records and Record Keeping Unit Lesson As with many other governmental agencies, the bureau, or office, of fire prevention is compelled by state and federal laws. In some cases, local laws prevail as wel l to keep and maintain an accurate record of the day -to- day operations, inspections, and functions. These records are known as public records , which is, “a legal term used by government in reference to documents or records concerning the public” (Diamantes , 2016, p. 182). Though many “public records” must be made available to the public -at-large, in particular news reporting media, there are some records that are not open to the public. Such records are those that contain classified, or highly confidential , information that if “leaked” to the public could have a far reaching impact, most likely a negative impact, should a particular incident become the subject of litigation. Included among those records/documents that are exempt are: ongoing criminal invest igations, medical records, personnel records, national security, trade secrets, attorney -client communications, and presidential communications (Diamantes, 2016). Typically, these records will be made public at their appearance in a court of law, or upon written request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Freedom of Information Act (FIOA) was put into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967 with the intention of keeping the workings of American government, at all levels, open to the public (D iamantes, 2016). Though, in 1967, the term “transparency” was not in the governmental vocabulary, and today, the word is often used only as a buzzword. In short, while government officials claim to keep their work and dealing “transparent,” we often see th e exact opposite. It is ultra -important that as a fire prevention official, you are well aware of the local, state, and federal laws governing the records kept within your office or bureau. If you are unfamiliar with the rules and regulations, then waste no time in learning them! Know which records can be viewed publicly and which fall into the exceptions group. Yes there are exceptions to every rule and select records are to be kept confidential until summoned to court. Among the exceptions relative to f ire prevention are copyrighted materials such as codebooks, fire protection plans, and fire protection directories, which may be viewed publicly however not photocopied (Diamantes, 2016, p.184) . Additionally, ongoing arson investigations, internal investigations, and any other record or document that might compromise the outcome of a bureau or departmental case. Typically, state statutes determine how long the records of the fire prevention bureau must be keep and made available upon request. Upon expiration of any pre -set time limitation, most jurisdictions require that the records be archived, generally within the bureau itself (Diamantes, 2016). Figure 11 -2, located on pages 185 - UNIT VII STUDY GUIDE Fire Prevention Record Keeping and Other Functions FIR 3303, Introduction to Fire Prevention 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title 186 in your textbook, offers a glimpse of the Retention Schedule for Records of Public Safety Agencies in the State of Texas. As you can see, retention ranges from three years to the life of the system (Diamantes, 2016). As with the retention and storage of records, there are a number of record -keeping systems. Each type having its own characteristics and functionality. The specific type of system employed in your specific jurisdiction will depend up a number of factors which include: funding, system cost, and operability. How much money your jurisdiction allots for your s pecific system will determine what type of system might be utilized. There are basically two types of records managements system: manual and electronic. Here again, each system type has characteristics that set them apart as well as how they function and can be maintained. The first, manual, is as its name implies as system whereby all records are kept in filing cabinets or other suitable storage devices. Generally, all records in this type of system are hand -written and hand -filed. One pro of this system is that in an electrical outage one is still able to retrieve a reco rd whereas the electronic system is rendered inoperable. Diamantes (2016) writes that there are reasons some bureaus refuse “to go paperless.” This is largely due to the fact that paper records are “portable and cheap” and can be viewed in private (p. 189) . The electronic system, or Information Management System (IMS), is as its name denotes, a system of computer input and output devices. In today’s modern fire prevention bureau’s most have “gone paperless” and have for a number of years processes all rec ords electronically. This of course involves data entry which is often completed by an office clerk. Data is entered into pre -designed software and once completed each record is stored on a storage device such as a computer hard -drive (locally), or to a re mote large volume storage device (Diamantes, 2016). Whatever storage method is chosen, the software application itself must conform to local and state requirements, and, in some cases, federal standards. There are wide range of software packages in the ma rketplace today, and one need only to use a conventional search engine to locate them. You may find that your jurisdiction is required to make use of a state -wide recognized software that ensures all agencies within the state are on the same page. Record keeping and maintenance is certainly a vital function of the fire prevention bureau’s daily operation though there are other functions that deserve recognition. Some of these additional functions may be or become an integral part of the fire prevention off icer. In a general sense, construction (building code) regulations are typically undertaken by the communities Building Inspection Department, however, there are fire jurisdictions that, because of a lack of human - resources, are given these duties. As poi nted out by Diamantes (2016), “Certification is sometimes required and most always desirable. Professional registration or licensure in a building and construction related field may be needed in order for you to fulfill your duties” (p. 138). In some muni cipalities, the functions of inspection and prevention are combined in order to save fiscal resources and reduce, if not eliminate, duplication of effort. In these cases, individual personnel may be required to hold specific certification for their specifi c assigned task, however, inspections are often conducted jointly and at the same time. As pointed out by Diamantes (2016), “property maintenance code inspection of residential rental properties have significant potential to reduce the rate of deaths and injuries, as 70 to 75 percent of civilian fire deaths and injuries occur in residences” (p. 139). When we face facts, many jurisdictions DO NOT routinely inspect residential occupancies specifically multi -family residential dwellings. Recall previous lec tures citing the 2003 fire at The Station nightclub at 211 Cowesett Avenue, West Warwick, Rhode Island, a town directly abutting Warwick, Rhode Island. The following scenario erupted 12 years and three months following the 2003 nightclub fire. As you read the following, consider how regular fire prevention and fire preplan inspections might have changed the course of Rhode Island history. In March 2015, a massive condo fire at the Westgate Condominiums, 754 Quaker Land, W arwick, Rhode Island, witnessed 38 units in a single building be totally destroyed (Krause, 2015). At around 10:30 a.m. on a FIR 3303, Introduction to Fire Prevention 3 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title cold, clear day, the Warwick Fire Department received a 911 call stating that there was a fire in a condo unit at the Westga te Condominiums on Quaker Lane. First arr iving fire units reported heavy smoke and fire showing. Over 100 residents were displaced as fire roared from end to end, first on the top floor then collapsing into the second and first floors (Krause, 2015). In the end, the entire structure was a total l oss. In the aftermath, the W arwick Fire Department was criticized for not “acting fast enough,” though there were reports of water supply pro blems (Flint & Flanigan, 2015). Could this fire have been prevented? Had routine commercial occupancy inspections of the building by fire inspector’s potential fire problems might have been discovered and corrected. It is easy to quarterback on Monday, however, your jurisdiction might consider “complimentary” fire prevention inspections of all residential occupancies within the jurisdiction on an annual basis. Had the former W est Warwick Fire Marshal maintained a well -organized record -keeping system and enforced fire code requirements, the historic 2003 nightclub fire might not have happened, or at the very least been reduced to perhaps a few minor injuries. W e shall never know. Had the Warwick Fire Marshal conducted inspections of large residential occupancies in the years following the 2003 fire, things might have turned out much differently in 2015; here again, we sh all never know. A lesson learned from these two fires occurring but 1.3 miles from one another in towns situated directly against another might suggest the need for additional pre -fire inspections, greater enforcement of codes, and mutual communication be tween the two Fire Marshal’s and their respective offices. References Diamantes, D. (2016). Principles of fire prevention (updated 3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Flint, K. & Flanigan, K. (2015). “Devastating” fire destroys W arwick, R.I. condo complex building . Retrieved from http://www.necn.com/news/new -england/Crews -at-Scene -of-Warwick -RI-CondoComplex -Fire - 295919151.html Krause, N. (2015). 38 condos units destroyed in Warwick fire . Retrieved from http://wpri.com/2015/03 /11/crews -responding -to-apartment -fire/ Suggested Reading More detailed information on the W arwick, Rhode Island condo fire can be viewed at the web link given below: Flint, K., & Flanigan, K. (2015). “Devastating” fire destroys W arwick, R.I. condo com plex building. Retrieved from http://www.necn.com/news/new -england/Crews -at-Scene -of-Warwick -RI-Condo -Complex -Fire - 295919151.html More detailed information can be found regarding the Warwick, Rhode Island condo fire in March of 2015 at the web link found below: Krause, N. (2015). 38 condos units destroyed in Warwick fire . Retrieved from http://wpri.com/2015/03/11/crews -responding -to-apartment -fire/