FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAMS
The Fire Prevention Office provides for the safety of the citizens through inspections and strict enforcement of the Melbourne and state fire prevention codes, through fire investigations, and through community education. The office is a section of the Code Compliance Division of the Fire Department. To request inspections, information, classes, or presentations, or to give confidential information concerning a fire, or to request investigation reports, call the Fire Prevention Division at 321/674-5702. Group training in the effective use of fire extinguishers is also available.
COMMUNITY EDUCATION ACTIVITIES: Community educators of the Fire Prevention Section provide citizens with current fire and life safety information and techniques as well as safety tips for your home. Presentations include fire/life safety for children in day cares, pre-schools,elementary schools, and youth groups. Training is available in portable fire extinguisher use, hurricane preparedness classes, fire/life safety training and fall prevention for the elderly, and fire drill and evacuation procedures.
JUVENILE FIRE-SETTER INTERVENTION: This program was developed in response to an increasing need to educate children on the consequences of playing with fire. The program also teaches families to identify and control hazardous behaviors, and to fireproof the home place. Our program focuses on those consequences through video biographies of children burned by fire. The two-hour program allows families to identify the difference between natural curiosity and a behavioral problem, educate family members about behaviors that pose hazards, and develop an intervention plan and fire-proof their homes.
Melbourne fire medics also focus on educating participants about treatments for burn injuries. The final segment of the class focuses on fire safety in the home, including cooking safety and the effective use of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency escape drills. For information contact Angel Conde at 674-5702 or Kathy Metz at 674-5701 in the Melbourne Fire Prevention Office. Print and complete an application and pre-test before attending class.
SENIORS AND FIRE SAFETY: Be informed about the special
hazards that seniors face. Fight fire and other hazards with facts. Helpful information is available from the U.S. Fire Administration. The agency sponsors a
National Preparedness Month.
FIRE INSPECTION: All fire inspections, other than those for new construction, are assigned to the Fire Prevention Office. Inspections include, but are not limited to occupational license, day care, annual State required fire inspections, special activity permits, commercial inspections, and requested inspections. The office also reviews fire and evacuation plans for facilities including commercial and medical/health.
FIRE INVESTIGATION: All fires within the City of Melbourne that cannot be readily identified as to the origin or cause are investigated by fire inspector/investigators. Trained fire investigators respond upon request of Fire Department operations personnel. Fire investigations, especially at a large fire scene, may take several days for completion of reports. Fire investigators also work with Melbourne Police Department detectives in the prosecution of arson crimes.