Fire Marshal

The Fire Marshal enforces all of the provisions of the adopted Fire Prevention Code and receives applications and fees and issue permits in accordance with this Code. The Fire Marshal also inspects the premises that have been issued permits and enforces compliance with all of Fire Prevention Code provisions. View Fire Prevention Code. For more information, view Applications and Fees.

Whenever the Fire Marshal rejects an application or refuses to issue a permit, or if an applicant believes that the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code do not apply or that the true intent or meaning of the Code has been misconstrued, wrongly applied or interpreted, then the applicant may appeal the decision of the Fire Marshal to the Board of Appeals for hearing and action.

Kitchen Safety

Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors. Cooking equipment, most often a range or stovetop, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Cooking equipment is also the leading cause of unreported fires and associated injuries.

Safe Cooking Suggestions

Turkey Fryers The delicious deep-fried turkey has quickly grown in popularity but safety experts are concerned that backyard chefs may be sacrificing fire safety for good taste. Using a deep-fryer can be dangerous.

Cooking Fire Safety Information

• Keep Items Away from Heat
• Keep Kids Away from Cooking Areas
• Prevent Scalds and Burns
• Watch What You Heat, NO Unattended Cooking
• Know What to Do if There is a Fire

Watch What You Heat

• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking.
• Stay alert! To prevent cooking fires, you have to be alert. You won't be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy.

Keep Things That Can Catch Fire and Heat Sources Apart

Keep anything that can catch fire - potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, or curtains - away from your stove top.

• Keep the stove top, burners, and oven clean.
• Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby counter tops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burner.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric burner.

How and When to Fight Cooking Fires

• When in doubt, just get out. When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 9-1-1 after you leave.
• If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are already getting out and you have a clear path to the exit.
• Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby when you are cooking. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (make sure you are wearing the oven mitt). Turn off the burner. Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, leave the lid on until the pan is completely cool.
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you or your clothing.
• If you have a fire in your microwave oven, turn it off immediately and keep the door closed. Never open the door until the fire is completely out. Unplug the appliance if you can safely reach the outlet. After a fire, both ovens and microwaves should be checked and/or serviced before being used again.