The Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) works to reduce fire risks and protect lives before emergencies happen. They enforce the Ohio Fire Code, conduct commercial safety inspections, review building plans, investigate the causes of fires, and provide public fire safety education
Local Fire Prevention Bureaus manage several key responsibilities in your community:
·Inspections & Code Enforcement: They regularly inspect commercial properties, schools, hospitals, and multi-family buildings to ensure that fire escapes, exit lights, and sprinkler systems are fully operational and up to code.
·Plan Review: During the construction or renovation phases of buildings, they review blueprints to ensure adequate exits and proper installation of fire protection equipment.
· Fire Investigations: After a fire occurs, they investigate the origin and cause of the incident to determine if it was accidental or incendiary (such as arson).
· Public Education: They host community open houses, offer CPR and fire extinguisher classes, and provide fire-safety talks to schools and businesses.
·Event & Hazard Safety: They provide safety coverage for public events, approve permits for fireworks displays, and ensure firework and pyrotechnic safety.
The 5 P's of fire safety are Prevent, Plan, Practice, Protection and Preparedness. This foundational framework helps households reduce the risk of a fire, establish safe exit strategies, and build the muscle memory needed to escape safely in an emergency
Prevent
Stopping a fire before it ever starts is the first and most effective line of defense.
- Kitchen safety:Never leave cooking unattended and maintain a "kid-free zone" around hot stoves.
- Electrical care:Avoid overloading outlets and discard cords that are frayed or cracked.
- Heaters:Keep flammable objects at least 3 feet away from space heaters, fireplaces, and furnaces.
Plan
In the event of an emergency, a split-second decision can be life-saving. Every household should create and map out an emergency escape plan.
- Two ways out:Identify at least two exits (typically a door and a window) from every room in the home.
- Smoke alarms:Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas. Check and test them regularly.
- Meeting place:Designate a safe meeting location outside the home (like a specific tree or mailbox) where everyone can gather once they escape.
Practice
Knowing the plan isn’t enough; your family needs to be physically ready to execute it.
- Regular drills:Conduct home fire drills at least twice a year—once during the day and once at night.
- Safe habits:Teach children how to crawl under smoke, test doors for heat before opening them, and emphasize that once you are outside, you must never go back inside a burning building
Protection
Having the right early-warning equipment ensures you and others are alerted the moment a fire or smoke hazard is detected.
- Smoke Alarms:Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and inside every bedroom.
- Maintenance:Test alarms monthly, change batteries at least once a year, and replace the units entirely every 10 years.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors:Install CO alarms where required to protect against toxic, odorless fumes
Preparedness
Equipping yourself and others with the knowledge and confidence to take swift, safe action during a crisis.
- Fire Extinguishers:Learn the P.A.S.S. Method to effectively operate a fire extinguisher: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
- Evacuation Tactics: Practice "Get low and go" to stay beneath heavy, toxic smoke.
Call 9-1-1: Always evacuate first and call emergency services once you are safely outside the danger zone.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with the Fire Prevention Bureau, please complete the form below and submit.