| |
Fire Prevention
The Margate Fire Prevention Bureau encompasses the
following disciplines and programs:
Fire safety inspections are conducted of all commercial and
multi-residential structures within the City of Margate on an annual basis. Fire Safety
Inspectors are certified through Broward County, as well as the State of Florida. Margate
Inspectors receive their authority through state statute, which adopts the N.F.P.A. 101
Life Safety Code, N.F.P.A. 1 - Fire Prevention Code and the Florida Building
Code.
A fire safety inspection is also required as a part of the City of
Margate's occupational license process. The Fire Safety Inspector must inspect the
applicants premise and sign off on the application prior to the issuance of the
occupational license by the City Clerks Office.
Courtesy single family dwelling inspections are conducted when
requested by local residents.
All building plans submitted through the City of Margate Building
Department are subject to review and approval by the Margate Fire Prevention Bureau's Fire
Marshal. Plans for both new construction and renovation of existing structures are checked
for compliance with the Florida Fire Prevention Code, N.F.P.A. 1 - Fire
Prevention Code, N.F.P.A. 101 Life Safety Code, Florida Building Code, the State Fire Marshals Rules and Regulations, and any municipal ordinances that may
apply.
The City of Margate Development Review Committee reviews, and
recommends the approval or denial of new projects within the City of Margate to the City
Commission. Its members include: the Fire Marshal, City Engineer, Chief Building Official,
City Planner, Utility Engineer, and a Police Department representative
The Bureau of Fire Prevention utilizes a Hazardous Material Permit
Program in conjunction with its fire safety inspection process. An application kit is
issued by the Fire Safety Inspector which requires the business owner to make a list, and
provide Material Safety Data Sheets, for all of the hazardous materials utilized or stored
within his place of business. The owner is also required to provide a sketch of his
building showing the location of the process area, storage area, exits, etc.
A technician level Fire Safety Inspector reviews the completed
application and informs the owner of any changes needed, as well as the numbers required
on the NFPA 704 Placard System. After the information is verified it is entered into the
city's computer where it can be accessed by the computer aided dispatch system and printed
out at the various fire stations.
Fire / Arson
Investigation
All fires within the city of Margate are investigated for cause and
origin by the Bureau's Fire Safety Inspectors. The NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion
Investigation, 1992 Edition has been adopted as part of the Fire Prevention Bureau's
standard operating procedure.
In cases involving arson the fire investigator takes charge of the
investigation and works very closely with an assigned detective from the Margate Police
Department. In cases of large fire loss or a fire death, the State Fire Marshals Office is
called in to assist. Juvenile offenders are referred through the Broward County Juvenile
Fire Setters Network , which is an educational program where members of the Margate Fire
Prevention Bureau and fire service personnel from other municipalities within Broward
County, volunteer their time to teach children and their parents the dangers of fire.
The responsibilities of PIO and PIER Officer is assigned to a
Captain within the Fire Prevention Bureau. This officer is responsible for gathering and
disseminating information to the media and the public during all routine and emergency
situations.
Fire Prevention, Injury Prevention, Water Safety, Private Fire
Brigade Training and Fire Service Career programs are conducted throughout the year.
During the month of October all of the public and private schools within the City of
Margate are visited by members of the Fire Prevention Bureau along with in- service fire
suppression and rescue units.
In December Santa Claus tours Margate providing candy canes and
fire prevention coloring books to over a thousand children each year.
Fire Rescue Explorers
Program
The Margate Fire Rescue Explorers Program was established in 1992
and is a part of the Boy Scouts of America. Margate's program is co-ed and is open to
individuals from age 14 to 20.
The posts mission is to promote positive character development,
citizenship, leadership skills, and personal and mental fitness through positive adult
relationships and interaction.
The explorers are trained and exposed to all facets of the fire
service, including a ride along program and sponsorship to the Broward County Fire
Academy.
Project Safe Place is an innovative program designed to assist
youth and families in crisis situations. The program works by creating a network of
"Safe Places" that display the safe place logo on their premises. Any youth in
trouble knows that he or she can enter a location bearing this sign and request help. A
Firefighter will provide the youth with a secure place to wait while the local youth
shelter is contacted. The shelter then dispatches a volunteer to the safe place site to
offer assistance and to provide transportation to the shelter if necessary.
All of Margate's Fire Stations are designated as safe place
locations.
|
