Fire Prevention Bureau
Fire Prevention involves a two-fold approach to public fire safety by combining enforcement and regulation of the Baltimore City fire code and a community-based public education program.
On the enforcement side, the Fire Marshal’s Office works closely with city building code inspectors to ensure all new commercial and residential construction within the city meets the established fire code. This includes testing and approval of fire protection systems, plans review of new sprinkler systems, fire alarms, etc., and reviewing architectural plans for "Life Safety Code" compliance. In addition, it oversees all efforts to bring all older commercial buildings up to present day code.
The difference between how the city building code and city fire codes function can be thought of like this; While the building code requires all new construction to meet current regulations requiring on site fire suppression systems, the fire code acts more like a maintenance regulation. This is done through annual inspection and permitting. Some examples are the inspection of establishments for "Public Assembly" such as bars, night clubs, sports arenas, restaurants and churches, inspections for verification of code compliance items in homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and issuing Fire Prevention Permits for required occupancies, called the "Use and Occupancy" Permit. Every building in the city where the public works, plays or spends time is inspected annually. Private residences are not.
Encouraging citizens to practice fire safety during the holidays
Arson Task Force
Bridging jurisdictions to make Baltimore a safer place to live, work and play
As a measure to preserve properties and the vitality of our communities, the Baltimore City Fire Department has established a Joint Agency Arson Task Force which include the Baltimore City Fire Department's Office of the Fire Marshal, Baltimore City Police Arson, Office of the State Fire Marshal, Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, Housing and Community and Development along with Criminal Justice and Baltimore Crisis Response in addition to Baltimore City School Police and Office of the States Attorney.
In the year 2002, the Baltimore City Fire Department responded to over 2750 structure fires, many of which involved vacant homes in various neighborhoods throughout Baltimore. Such structures are very hazardous to firefighters during fire suppression operations and to economically challenged individuals who seek refuge in these abandoned buildings. Due to an alarming number of fires in several different neighborhoods, the fire department will heighten fire prevention and arson awareness.
It is hoped that the collaborative efforts of these agencies will significantly reduce the number of arson fires through a broad based partnership of public and private sector officials and community members committed to building a strong neighborhood presence in an effort to combat the root causes of fires.
The interagency task force was officially launched on May 6, 2003 at 10:00 a.m. at 1813 Wilhelm Street. Chief William J. Goodwin, Jr. Chief of Fire Department and representatives from all participating agencies were in attendance.