STATE FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION

 MINUTES

 December 20, 2001

Chairman Sherlock called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Laurel Municipal Building in Laurel, Maryland.

Motion by Commissioner Baker, second by Commissioner Shimer, and carried unanimously to accept the minutes of the October 18, 2001, meeting.

CHAIRMAN REPORT

            Chairman Sherlock accepted an invitation from Colonel David B. Mitchell to join Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and other officials for a news conference on November 16, 2001.   Chairman Sherlock attended the conference announcing the award of a federal grant through the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention for the implementation of interoperability technology.  This technology will enable all levels of fire/rescue and police officials to communicate via radio at the scene of a major incident and  is the first phase of a program to establish a statewide network to link wireless voice and data systems used by Maryland’s public safety agencies. 

            Chairman Sherlock acknowledged a thank you card received from former Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabriele for the Commission’s presentation and attendance at his appreciation dinner.

            Chairman Sherlock acknowledged receipt of a Christmas card received from George Miller, President of the National Fire Protection Association.

OTHER BUSINESS

            Commissioners Baker, Collins, and Shimer reported on their attendance at the 24^th Annual Mid-Atlantic Association of State Fire Commissions Conference held in Asheville, North Carolina, November 11-14, 2001.  Commissioner Shimer prepared and distributed a written report detailing the activities of the member states.  The conference was well structured and provided a good opportunity to discuss other states’ goals and objectives. The 2002 conference will be hosted by Pennsylvania and is expected to be held in the Lancaster area.  Some major items of interest were the following:

·    All the states are concerned with their fire services’ preparedness to respond to major incidents, particularly relating to terrorists threats and attacks.  In this regard, Maryland appears to be ahead of other states in fire service personnel training

·         It is evident that Maryland is one of the least funded commissions, e.g. the Delaware Commission has a line-item budget and  Kentucky Commission members are provided cars.  It was recommended that additional budget and funding reports be obtained from the other states to provide additional justification to Colonel Mitchell for the Commission’s own line-item budget and additional funding.

·         West Virginia is in the process of developing a rehabilitation code and requested a copy of the Maryland Building Rehabilitation Code to review for guidance.  

            Commissioner Shimer reported that to date he has received comments from Vice Chair Butterworth, Commissioner Collins and Commissioner Clemens on the proposed ground-based sparkling device regulations.   Another meeting will be scheduled in January to review comments and finalize the draft.   It is assumed that if no additional comments are received that the current progress of the draft is satisfactory with the Commission members.

            Commissioner Collins representing the Eastern Shore region reported on the following fire safety and prevention activities:

·         The Maryland Fire Chiefs Association has donated $600 to be distributed to three fire companies throughout the state to help fund the fire safety house program.

·         The fire safety placemat program is going well and an additional 100,000 have been distributed to restaurants.

·         A 14x48 foot lighted billboard has a seasonal holiday display with the message “Have a Happy Holiday, Practice Fire Safety Every Day”.

·         The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department collected $160,000 in donations for delivery to the New York Firefighters Fund.

            Commission members continue to present certificates of appreciation to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Fire Prevention Award winners. Commissioner Baker presented certificates at the Southern Maryland Firemen’s Association meeting in December.  Commissioner Clemens made a presentation to Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department Chief James Jarboe. There are many fire departments and organizations throughout the state who deserve recognition for their development and promotion of fire safety and prevention programs.  Chairman Sherlock requested Commissioner Hoglander to act as Chairman of a subcommittee to review and develop criteria for the Commission’s recognition of deserving departments and organizations.

            Commissioner Baker and Vice Chair Butterworth recently attended the funeral of Patrick "Jerry" Salmon, Assistant Chief of the North Beach Fire Department.

            Commissioner Clemens reported there may be a legislative proposal to expand family day care opportunities by reducing the ages of children but without requiring additional fire safety features.  Commissioner Clemens feels that unless additional fire safety features (other than the currently required smoke detectors and fire extinguishers) are provided in the home, permitting additional younger children should not be considered.  The need to get everyone out and to stay out of the home in the event of a fire should continue to be emphasized.

            Chief Fire Protection Engineer John Bender further reported that Senator Nathan Exum of Prince George’s County may introduce legislation to modify the number of children allowed under the age of two years in a licensed family day care. The proposal would allow one additional child under the age of two years.   This legislation was first introduced in 2001 but was defeated.  During the interim,  Senator Clarence Blount from Baltimore City, Chairman of the Senate Economic and Environmental Affairs Committee, conducted a special study.   Fire service representatives from the study group presented the following proposal which surprisingly met with favorable response from family day care providers:

·         Install a residential sprinkler system

·         Install interconnected electric power smoke alarms with battery backup

·         Maintain all children on the level of exit discharge

·         Complete training in emergency preparedness and evacuation planning

 The Maryland Committee for Children, the Maryland Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Child Care Administration are opposed to any changes to existing requirements.  The Commission will be kept apprised of any further developments regarding this legislation.

             Commissioner Shimer and Chairman Sherlock commended all the members for their excellent attendance at the meetings and for their continued involvement in various activities throughout the state.

 FIRE MARSHAL REPORT

             Chief Fire Protection Engineer John F. Bender presented the report on behalf  State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard who sent his regrets for not being able to attend.   Fire Marshal Barnard was invited to be the keynote speaker for the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy graduation ceremonies at which Deputy State Fire Marshal Matthew Stevens is graduating and was chosen to give the class presentation.

             The State Fire Marshal’s Office, in cooperation with the Anne Arundel County Fire Marshal’s Office, sponsored a three-day training seminar focusing on a complete review of the NFPA Life Safety Code, 2000 edition.   Ron Cote and Greg Harrington of NFPA’s Life Safety Code staff conducted the seminar with assistance from Chief Bender. The seminar was well received and informative.   Commissioner Clemens thanked Chief Bender for his efforts to bring NFPA training classes to the State of Maryland.

             Fire Marshal Barnard continues to encourage all fire departments to submit their fire data  for the Maryland Fire Incident Reporting System in a timely fashion.  It is important that the MFIRS system receives the support and participation of all the fire departments in order to generate accurate reports and develop beneficial responses to fire problems.   The Fire Marshal is pleased to be working in concert with the Maryland State Firemen’s Association to provide the fire service with the technological means to participate in the system and forward the data to the State Fire Marshal’s Office.    It is hoped the tools necessary for electronic participation will be in place within the next year.

             The State Fire Marshal’s Office has been fortunate to fill nine Deputy State Fire Marshal positions in 2001.   These nine Deputies have either completed or are in the processing of completing police academy training and all are expected to be fully trained in 2002.    The agency has also filled four of the five civilian Fire Safety Inspector positions by converting existing contractual employees to permanent positions.  Appointed were W. Steve Blevins, Gary Fillman, William Jiles, and James Towers.  A fifth Fire Safety Inspector position remains to be filled for the Metro Region.     It is anticipated this vacancy as well as the five contractual positions left by these conversion will be filled in early 2002.

             The agency budget has suffered due to the 11% turnover expectancy and Fire Marshal Barnard hopes to have it reduced to 4% next fiscal year to open additional funds.  The agency currently has four vacancies:  2 Deputy State Fire Marshals, 1 Fire Safety Inspector, and 1 clerical position.   Approval and funding for five additional Fire Safety Inspector positions will be requested in the Fiscal Year 2003 budget.      

            Information received from Central Sprinkler Company indicates they have received a total of ten claims since the July 2001 recall of certain O-ring sprinklers produced by Tyco Fire Products.  A total of 1,149 heads have been identified for replacement.  The State Fire Marshal’s Office commends Central Sprinkler for taking this action to  ensure the safe operation of fire sprinkler systems in Maryland and throughout the nation.   Central Sprinkler may be contacted at 866-836-3928 regarding this recall.

            As a result of recent fires involving certain ambulances and at the request of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Council, the State Fire Marshal’s Office conducted an inquiry into the causal factors of these fires.    Deputy State Fire Marshals met with Charlie Black of Potomac Fire Equipment as well as with an engineer from Med Tech, a manufacturer of one of the ambulances involved in a fire.   It was concluded the fires were the result of wiring associated with the land-line power supply from the station and were not related to any one specific product defect.     It is also believed the ambulance fires may have been the result of maintenance issues, i.e. loose wires, loose connections, normal wear and tear, etc.  To reduce or possibly eliminate such fires the following recommendations were made:

·         Conduct daily routine checks of the power supply, connectings, wiring, and land-lines to ambulances and other apparatus in the station.

 ·         Install a ground-fault breaker in the ambulances and other apparatus at the power supply or land-line connection.  While the breaker will not prevent shorts from loose wires, it will help limit the electrical flow should a short occur.

            The State Fire Marshal’s Office, in cooperation with local fire chiefs and fire marshals, hosted  three news conferences focusing on holiday fire safety.  The media events were held in Salisbury, BWI Airport and Frederick.   All were well attended.   Special thanks are extended to Deputy State Fire Marshal Faron Taylor, Salisbury Fire Department Chief Stephen Brezler, BWI Airport Fire and Rescue Department Chief Tom Mack, Frederick County Emergency Services Director Stan Poole, and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Council for their assistance in making the news conferences a success.

            The initial meeting of the Maryland Fire Service Legislative Caucus was held on December 7, 2001.   The meeting was well attended by representatives of both the career and volunteer fire service.     Issues discussed were the Intrastate Emergency Services Compact, the legislative proposal package by the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, the State Fire Marshal’s Office departmental legislation, and the previously noted proposal for a change in family day care age requirements.  During the legislative session the Caucus will meet on Fridays at the Annapolis Fire Department Taylor Avenue Station, commencing at 9:30 a.m.   Special thanks are extended to Annapolis Fire Chief Edward Sherlock for hosting the meetings and Deputy Chief State Fire Marshal Joseph Flanagan who will serve as the Chair and coordinator of the meetings.   All members of the fire service community, both career and volunteer are welcome to attend.

            The State Fire Marshal’s Office recently completed a very successful management retreat at the National Fire Academy which was attended by executive management staff, regional commanders, bomb squad commander, training officer, Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations, and the president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #123.   As a result of the retreat, new mission and vision statements were developed, as well as several immediate, short-term, and long-term goals and objectives for the agency.   Additional follow-up will occur within the next four to six months.   Special thanks are extended to Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Director Steven Edwards for providing Associate Director Russell Strickland to facilitate the retreat.  Mr. Strickland did an outstanding job and the agency extends its sincere appreciation for his efforts.

            Commissioner Shimer inquired on the progress of the Fresh Cut and Live Tree regulation.  Chief Bender reported he is not aware of any problems with the regulation pertaining to the cutting, tagging, and placement of fresh cut and live trees.

APPEAL HEARINGS

            The Commission heard the appeal for  Case No. 01-07, Lornwood Day Care and Gifted Center in Columbia, Howard County, Maryland.   Lornwood took issue with the decision of the State Fire Marshal’s Office requiring compliance with Sections 31-2.8, 31-2.9, 31-3.4.2, and 31-3.4.3 of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code (1997 edition).  Based on the evidence presented before the Commission and review of the pertinent provisions of the Life Safety Code adopted by the Commission, the Commission voted unanimously to affirm the July 31, 2001, decision of the State Fire Marshal requiring Lornwood to correct the noted violations of the Life Safety Code.     

            No hearing was held for Appeal Case No. 01-04.   The appellant, Bethel Baptist Church, requested the case be withdrawn.

            No hearing was held for Appeal Case No. 01-06.   The appellant, Rudolph Medicus, requested the case be withdrawn.

MEETING SCHEDULED

The next meeting of the Fire Prevention Commission is scheduled for                   

            Thursday, February 21, 2002 – 9:30 a.m. (Please note change in starting time)

            8103 Sandy Spring Road

            Laurel, Maryland

(NOTE: Due to new security measures, entry into the building will not be permitted before 9:00 a.m.   Also, if public schools are closed in Prince George’s County due to inclement weather the meeting will be re-scheduled.)

There being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Heidi Ritchie