Two code enforcement jobs are open with IDHS. Please use the link below for information:

JOB POSTINGS

https://www.firehouse.com/operations-training/news/55138200/fire-at-escondido-ca-battery-storage-facility-could-burn-for-two-days

City of Lafayette. Follow the link below for details:

https://www.lafayette.in.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16688/Civilian-Fire-Inspector-Job-Posting

Westfield Fire Department is currently accepting resumes for a full time Community Risk Reduction Specialist. Application period open until March 29 at 4:00 PM. Job description available in FormStack link. 

https://cityofwestfield.formstack.com/forms/?5685474-EpiDsqOoyi&fbclid=IwAR1wWbJg8YOHyIyhnyV-Evlnoat_t-Rw4AQO_EV-MWJW7KZGIAumPmwE3rQ_aem_AU4Ub9EZRo5AHvx8Tt6NOpDGgTi6lzJTjMVfXiu72zyshhgUGil8pxXgzlkc3V6Mw-8

Tracy Rumble from the Greenwood Fire Department is requesting information about what other fire departments are charging for false alarm fees. 

If you can share, please email him by CLICKING HERE or emailing rumblet@greenwood.in.gov .

We need your help!

We have all heard a lot about HEA 1575 that changed the makeup of the Fire Prevention & Building Safety Commission and the code adoption process.  There is a draft interpretation of HEA 1575 written by the staff attorney for the Commission that all local fire prevention and building safety ordinances are now null and void (“un-enforceable”) and no new ordinances would be approved.  This will have a devastating effect on fire prevention efforts all over the State.  It will hamper operations.  All the places where the code states “adopted by local ordinance”  would now be left without details that fit the resources of the AHJ.  The existing ordinances on radio/communications integrity, water looping and/or hydrant spacing, plan review and review fees, CO alarms, non-compliance and violation fees, etc. would no longer be enforceable.

We need your help!  What we are asking is that you go through your local ordinance and detail the adverse effect it will have on your community and your department by using this interpretation.  Please send a copy of your ordinance and the narrative to the FIAI Board of Directors at board@fiai.us as soon as possible!  We are securing meetings with legislators and IDHS to put a stay on the rigid interpretation of the new law so that we do not rewind and undo the progress life safety partners have gained.  It is essential that we provide feedback from all over the State of Indiana that includes a diverse representation of departments.  We are working to secure the ability to adopt local ordinances and keep the statutory provisions of home rule to do what is best for our communities.  

We must get traction on this now because we will have a new Commission the first week of August and we are up against a tight timeline to find legislative support going into the next session to modify changes and provide clarification to portions of HEA 1575 that are unclear.

Please take a few minutes this week to detail how your community will be harmed by the loss of your local fire prevention ordinance.  Thanks!

Job Summary

Primary function will be performing building inspections. The position will also conduct training classes for students, faculty, and staff on fire prevention matters. Will be required to respond to fire emergencies on IUPUI campus to provide support to local emergency crews. Will review construction documents. May supervise Fire Code inspectors as required. May be required to travel to other campuses to provide support to other Loss Control Inspectors.

Required Qualifications

Associate's degree.in a fire/safety program or a related field and two years of experience in fire code inspection/enforcement and/or fire safety. Fire safety experience could include experience as a firefighter. Combinations of education and related experience will be considered. Indiana Certified Fire Inspector I/II or equivalent, at time of hire or within 6 months.

Possess a valid driver’s license with the ability to be insured by Indiana University.

Knowledge of and ability to clearly communicate the requirements of NFPA Codes and Standards, Factory Mutual Standards, applicable to the campus, state codes and local codes and ordinances. Ability to effectively present information to large groups and to a widely diverse population. Ability to project a positive, professional image of both the individual and the institution. Effective communication skills. Demonstrated interpersonal skills. Ability to proficiently use Windows-based programs.

Work Location Indianapolis, Indiana (IUPUI) Job Posting for IUPUI is up.

Go to https://jobs.iu.edu/. Click on “All External Candidates”, and then search for 306959

Wayne Township Fire Department, IN Announces the open position of Fire Inspector / Investigator.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FLYER

A week ago Friday (May 5), I attended the monthly meeting of the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (FP&BSC). I know no one likes more meetings, and certainly long meetings, but there is important information that is learned monthly at these meetings. I'd like to share some of that information this week, and encourage you to follow the actions of the commission - they have strong influence and input into our daily jobs. Here are some bullet points of relevant and important information for you:

• Commission information, including agendas, meeting minutes, and other information discussed below can be found here: https://www.in.gov/dhs/boards-and-commissions/. ;
• Beginning next month, Commission meetings will once again be held in downtown Indianapolis at the Indiana Government Center South (they have been help in Plainfield for the past several years). You can also join the meeting virtually each month, if you are unable to attend in person: from the link above, select Meeting Materials, then Public Notice for the month of the meeting. Because the meetings are also streamed virtually, they are now recorded, and you can view recordings of past meetings, beginning from the middle of 2022. On the link above, scroll down to "Minutes" and click on "View Meeting Recordings". 
• Each month, the State Building Commissioner (Craig Burgess) presents interpretations on various complex code questions that have arisen. In May, for example, he presented in interpretation on the reuse of decommissioned elevator hoistways, and important to us, some clarification on the dwelling-garage fire separation in the 2020 Residential Code. You can find the monthly interpretations in the meeting agenda each month, or a complete list, organized by code, can be found here: https://www.in.gov/dhs/boards-and-commissions/non-rule-policy-documentsinterpretations-of-the-commissions-rules/. ; Did you know, for example, that an interpretation was issued that states that live fire training facilities are not Class 1 structures? 
• A number of current rules are being re-adopted - the complete list can be found in the agenda of the May meeting at the link above. Administrative rules expire every 7 years, and therefore, must be re-adopted if they must remain effective. The re-adoption process does not allow the rule to be changed in any way. As mentioned last week, one of the rules that is currently being re-adopted is NFPA 1126. We have expressed our concern with the age of the referenced standard (2001 edition), and have recommended that it be updated. 
• A long discussion was held regarding HEA 1575, and the impact to both the commission and local jurisdictions. Because we will devote a future email update to legislative changes in 2023, I will not cover the HEA 1575 changes here, other than to say that the current commission appointments will expire on July 31, and as of August 1 the governor must appoint 10 new members of the commission. Stay tuned for much more information regarding this in coming weeks and months. 
• Of course, the commission also hears variance requests each month. I always learn new information each month in viewing the variance requests, and hearing the discussion, whether it be a code that I did not know existed, or a different way to interpret a code that I had not thought of. 

I strongly encourage you to attend commission meetings when you can, and in person if at all possible. The information leaned, and the networking that occurs, is always valuable information. The next commission meeting will be Tuesday, June 6 at 0900.

Until next week,

Darrel Cross, President