Agenda - Council - 08/13/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ramsey, Nowthen, St. Francis, Oak Grove, and Bethel, Minnesota Feasibility Study for Shared or Cooperative Fire and Emergency Services Regionalized Fire Prevention and Public Education Like training, fire prevention and public education needs are similar in the participating agencies. As discussed in the Evaluation of Current Conditions section of this report, prevention focus varies considerably between each of the participants. Collaboration in the area of fire prevention and public education offers multiple advantages, as discussed below. Regional Code Enforcement and Life Safety Education Program I Timeline: Mid term Objective: Provide for a Uniform Fire Code with a single set of local amendments that apply to new construction, remodels, and tenant improvements as well as providing for cost effective, regional code enforcement activities and life safety education programs. Summary Background: The municipalities comprising the study region have adopted the state fire code and, with only a few exceptions, each has added local amendments to address issues considered unique to the jurisdiction. Several have imposed more stringent fire sprinkler requirements. Adopting a single fire code would benefit the fire departments, developers, and the citizens of the region. One such benefit includes a decrease in the cumulative cost of individually developing local amendments to the fire code. This could take the form of a county -funded fire marshal's office to oversee the county -wide program and provide code enforcement and inspections services throughout the unincorporated area. Policy Action: • Formalize the creation of the coalition through a written agreement. • Involve others from outside the area and from non-traditional groups (insurance industry, educators, SC State Fire Marshal, media). • Create standardized messages that can be used across the region. • Learn from others. Model the coalition after other successful regional public fire safety education programs. • Some agreements related to current local amendments could be affected by changes or the adoption of new amendments. • Agencies must work closely with all building officials in the adoption of local amendments. • Develop a model citation program for local adoption as part of the local amendments. Pro Con • Fire codes and enforcement of those codes • Loss of local control of inspection program. would be more consistent throughout the • Potential loss of municipality -specific region. education programs. • Municipalities can share resources to ensure that programs are delivered throughout the region. • Reduced cost by consolidated resources. page 120 *4-;:,m4ergency Seimec Conuln ang