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George Adams

Assistant Chief & Fire Marshal

The Office of Fire Prevention provides oversight of fire inspections, fire investigations, internal affairs investigations, and permit administration and plan review for both new construction and existing construction in the City of Columbia. The prevention office also takes care of staffing for special events, lockbox key assignments, public fire education programs, strategic planning for the department, false alarm abatement, and compiling monthly and annual statistical reports.

Code Enforcement

The goal of the Fire Prevention Division is for all businesses, operations, occupancies, and events in the City of Columbia to be safe, successful, and to function in accordance with the International Fire Code. Annual Fire Inspections play a key part in meeting this goal.

Plan Review

The Fire Plans Examiner reviews all plans for new construction and remodeling done throughout the City of Columbia. He is responsible for reviewing site plans, fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems, smoke evacuation systems, fire pumps, standpipes, generators, and tank removals and installations.

Fire Investigation

The determination of fire origin and cause is necessary for all fire incidents. The Officer in Charge of the incident is responsible for determining when a Fire Investigator is needed. This determination is dependent on the information gathered at the scene and/or circumstances of the fire. The on-duty Fire Investigator is available through Dispatch or by phone for deployment to consult with Command prior to or during response.

Special Events

The Special Events Officer coordinates with all event promoters in the City. He is responsible for the proper assignment of all the necessary fire and rescue units as well as inspectors at off duty events. He reviews and issues assembly permits, firework display permits, and Class One special event permits. The Special Events Officer is also responsible for reviewing site approvals and conducting on site inspections of special events.

Public Fire Education

The Education Section presents safety programs to all elementary schools within the City of Columbia. The higher elementary grades are shown educational videos on fire safety issues as well as safety issues in general. The junior high and high school level programs are more specific to the needs of these audiences. The Education Section will also facilitate various programs as the need dictates (i.e. evacuation programs, fire safety for the disabled, seasonal safety programs, elderly at home programs, etc.). If the Education Section does not already have a program for a specific need requested, it takes pride that personnel are able to design a safety program for that need.

False Alarm Abatement

In order to reduce the number of False alarms, the City of Columbia adopted the False Alarm Ordinance. This ordinance is designed to increase the education and accountability of alarm owners in Columbia. It provides an incentive for alarm owners to repair and maintain their alarms, train their employees on alarm procedures and seek assistance from the Columbia Fire Department and local alarm companies to reduce false alarms.

False Alarm Abatement

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Smoke Alarm & Carbon Monoxide Alarm

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Safety Tips

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Fire Investigations

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Crowd Management

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Special Event Rules

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Fire-Education

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Bar & Night Club Fire Safety

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Register for IROL

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Food Trucks

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Multi-Family Checklist

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