County fire inspectors fear proposed move to Building Department

Clark County fire inspectors could end up getting a new boss next week: building official Ron Lynn.

A county proposal would remove the Fire Prevention Bureau from the oversight of the Fire Department and Fire Chief Bertral Washington, putting it under the Building Department instead.

The County Commission is expected to vote Tuesday on the proposal.

County management is pitching the move as a way to help the public and businesses efficiently navigate county services.

Those seeking construction permits would have one place to visit for filing applications instead of two locations.

But rank-and-file fire inspectors and their chief have expressed concerns about the Fire Department having a diminished role under the arrangement, according to interviews with county employees and a memorandum Washington wrote in December.

Among the concerns of fire inspectors: less direct communication with firefighting crews and putting someone who isn’t the fire chief in charge of code decisions that will affect sprinklers, pumps and hydrants — the very equipment firefighters rely on for their job.

In a statement, County Manager Don Burnette downplayed those concerns, stressing the fire chief would remain an active participant in any changes to fire code.

“I’m confident we can increase productivity and improve public safety without increasing costs,” he said.

SOME ALREADY HAVE MOVED

Already, the county has moved 32 Fire Prevention Bureau employees, including plan checkers, fire protection engineers and administrative staff, to the Building Department’s offices at 4701 W. Russell Road.

The county is still looking at whether to move 47 other fire prevention employees, including inspectors, deputy fire marshals and administrative support staff, into the Building Department from 10 locations.

County officials aren’t pointing to any monetary savings from the proposal.

Fire inspectors examine the alarm, water pump and sprinkler systems in new buildings. They also do annual inspections of fire safety systems and investigate complaints.

Temporary events are part of the job, particularly along the Strip. When conventions and conferences set up equipment in hotel-casinos, inspectors do checks, ensuring tables, chairs and booths are properly spaced for foot traffic with clear exits. They also approve plans for special events involving pyrotechnics.

The Building Department has 133 employees, and issues permits and reviews plans for construction projects. The department also does inspections pertaining to the building code, including aspects such as electrical systems and structure.

No change to ordinance is needed to relocate fire prevention staff, but commission action is needed to put the Fire Prevention Bureau under the supervision of the building official.

‘GREAT CONCERN’

Last year, county management asked Washington for input about the merger.

In his Dec. 14, 2012, memorandum to Burnette, the fire chief cited a “great concern” about the Fire Department’s role weakening, saying that fire prevention has a strong support role.

“I believe that we can make changes to meet your goals and improve customer service delivery within the existing organizational structure,” Washington wrote, without specifying the changes. “I believe it is absolutely imperative that the CCFD maintain its role in the development of the fire code. I have great concern for the potential for FPB’s goals, interests and responsibilities being diminished if integrated into the Building Department. Each department has a unique approach to the codes they enforce and I believe the Fire Department’s important role will suffer in any other department.”

Fire prevention works closely with suppression crews in planning for major events ranging from concerts to fireworks on Independence Day, Washington wrote, noting there haven’t been any major injuries or deaths. He attributed that to the close coordination between fire prevention staff and fire suppression divisions.

Washington didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Burnette said his office has listened to input from both department leaders.

“The goal was not to bring both department heads to a point of consensus on whether supervision be transferred to the Building Official, but to offer a recommendation to the board on how best to improve service delivery,” Burnette said.

FIRE INSPECTORS’ VIEWS

For fire inspectors, the biggest concern lies in putting their bureau under the Building Department.

That potential change means that all fire prevention issues linked to the Fire Department would be handled by the Building Department, said Martin Casillas, a fire inspector.

That includes things such as fire hydrant systems and water pump systems that fire crews access for their work, he said.

“Inherently, the Building Department lacks the knowledge of these factors so it would be unreasonable to expect them to address these issues that are Fire Department operational concerns,” he said.

Chris Ganier, another fire inspector, said: “There’s an opportunity for there to be a disconnect between the Building Department and the Fire Department as to what the needs of the new buildings should be to meet the response needs of the suppression crews.”

Mike Afansiev, the second vice president of Clark County Firefighters Local 1908, said the union has the same concerns. He said it’s best for the fire chief to be making decisions about the systems on which fire suppression crews rely.

Inspectors also point to benefits of working out of fire stations. Because they are based in offices next to firefighters, communication between the two groups is direct and regular, fire inspector Shannon Miller said.

An inspector can tell firefighters about a hazardous building, or both sides can share information about fire hydrant problems, she said.

Lynn, the building official, didn’t respond to a request for comment.

In a March 5 meeting with commissioners, Lynn said that while the proposal is a significant change for fire prevention staff, it doesn’t diminish their work.

He said his department also has an important safety role for buildings.

County management is vouching for his qualifications. His background includes serving as president of the International Code Council, which has a hand in crafting the International Fire Code. He also has been involved with other fire and code organizations. He has given presentations to the International Association of State Fire Marshals .

NEXT STEPS

Commissioners discussed the idea on March 5, directing staff to put together a memorandum of understanding before a final decision. That memorandum is still being drafted but will address the issues the chief raised in his memorandum, including handling special events and coordination between the departments, Assistant County Manager Randy Tarr said in a statement.

Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak said the merger is worth discussing. “I do support the move,” he said. “I think it’s a move that’s going to provide a lot more efficiencies.”

Sisolak also is concerned about public misinformation spreading about the proposal.

Several businesses have approached him to report Fire Department staff giving them fliers about the proposal that cite fee increases, Sisolak said, stressing that fee hikes aren’t part of the merger.

Those businesses don’t want to speak out publicly to complain about receiving the fliers for fear of retribution, Sisolak said.

“This is just an attempt to create fear among people who are regulated, and I just think it’s inappropriate to be doing,” he said.

Contact reporter Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-455-4519.,