The Fire Safety Department is responsible for planning, delivering and developing a comprehensive community safety strategy adequate for the needs of a modern dynamic society. Its core strategies are aimed at; the Home, the Workplace, Children and Young Persons, and the vulnerable in our community.
The Fire Safety Department works closely with other agencies and Licensing Authorities to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are implemented especially in large public events such as Music Festivals, Community Events and Festive Events.
Fire Safety Officers are involved with sections of local legislation such as:
- FIRE SERVICE ACT, PUBLIC HEALTH ACT and BUILDING RULES
- THE PETROLEUM ACT
- ENTERTAINMENT ACT
- EDUCATION ACT
- EXPLOSIVES ACT
The department is comprised of; a Divisional Officer, a Station Officer, a Sub Officer and three Leading Firefighters.
All Fire Safety Department staff are trained at the Fire Service College in England where they are trained and qualified in courses covering:
- Fire Safety Building Regulations.
- Fire Safety in non-residential premises
- Fire Safety in high life risk premises
- Fire alarm and Emergency Lighting systems
- Sprinkler fire protection systems.
- Smoke Control
- Fire Engineering Principles
Other course providers include the Building Research Establishment (BRE), Fire Industry Association (FIA) and the Fire Protection Association (FPA).
During the Building Control Process the Fire Safety Department ensures that the relevant active and passive fire safety measures form part of the building design in line with the Building Regulations. These include early detection of fires, sprinkler systems, smoke ventilation and facilities for fire-fighting intervention amongst many others. These buildings include the many high-rise residential blocks of flats, new schools, office buildings, medical and healthcare facilities as well as alterations and extensions to existing premises.
