DVIDS – News – It's all in the details: Fire inspectors learn to identify new construction hazards during course at Fort Leonard Wood

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Thirteen firefighters and safety inspectors from across the Department of Defense are at Fort Leonard Wood June 10-14 to learn how to review facility designs to ensure plans meet fire codes even before construction workers take on new projects. .

The course, called the Plans Review I and II certification course, has attracted students from as far away as Italy, Germany and Japan, according to Kevin Curtis, deputy fire chief for the Fort Leonard Wood Fire Department . During the five-day program, instructors provide instruction on specific inspection details, such as reviewing plans, communicating with fire inspectors and emergency response personnel, identifying cases where additional expertise is required, knowledge of procedures used by the jurisdiction, interpretation of codes and implementation of policy.

“The purpose of this certification is to improve fire engineering in construction projects, improve the reliability of employee performance, and enhance the professionalism of all DOD fire and emergency services personnel” , Curtis said. “Fire prevention and life safety depend on a thorough and accurate fire inspection of occupancies and a review of architectural plans and shop drawings, including an understanding of applicable codes and regulations, so that the compliance can be assessed. »

Curtis said it is important for fire safety inspectors to verify that fire codes are being followed before each new project begins because regulations are continually evolving.

“The outcome of the plan review process will impact the construction of the building and the built-in fire protection features for the life of the building,” Curtis added.

He said that most often when fire code violations are found in designs, architects “are simply not familiar with the fire code requirements or the elements of your local policies that have an impact on their design.

The course was taught at Fire Station No. 3 by Stephen Reid, senior fire instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, an affiliate of the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland.

Reid said he enjoyed teaching such a “diverse” group.

“They come from all over the world and work for different military branches. Their contribution enriches the class and they learn a lot from each other,” Reid said. “I spent most of my career as a firefighter. We didn't have a class like this. We did the work, learned as we went, and did our best. I use my experience as a firefighter to supplement the plan review program, so they don't have to experience what I experienced. I've been doing this for a long time and want to share what I've learned.

One of the students, Marie Gunia, a fire safety inspector at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, said she felt lucky to have had the opportunity to take the course.

“It’s an important part of our job. We work closely with engineers, which will help me better understand them and the project we are collaborating on. With this training, I will be able to come up with solutions and better ideas before construction begins, saving time and money,” said Gunia.

The course will ultimately contribute to the most important aspect of the job: prevention, Gunia said.

“Even though we train, we don't want to have to use our training. We want to prevent fires from happening. Prevention saves lives,” Gunia said.

Students will leave the course with a Plans Review I and II certification from the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, more commonly known as IFSAC.