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!
