FIRE PREVENTION

The Fire Prevention Office promotes fire safety through education and enforcement. The education function includes fire safety programs, fire extinguisher demonstrations, and fire drills. The department is able to boast the most extensive fire museum in the state, including a model home and fire safety center used to teach children fire safety, as well as a mobile fire safety house. The enforcement function is implemented through a comprehensive inspection program for commercial buildings, enforcement of fire codes, building plans review and the testing of fire suppression and detection systems. Another responsibility of the Fire Prevention Office is that of fire investigation. All fires are investigated to determine the origin and cause of the fire. This information is used in determining fire trends, future prevention activities and special fire problems. If a fire is determined to be arson, investigators continue a criminal investigation to include the arrest and prosecution of arsonists.

FIRE SAFETY HOUSE

The mobile trailer is a 35-foot, self-contained educational facility. It has three main rooms of which the first two are accessible to the disabled. The first room to enter is the kitchen, which is equipped with a stove and microwave. Cooking safety and medicine and cleaning supply safekeeping is taught from this room. The living room, which has a simulated fireplace, working phone system, a smoke detector and electrical outlets, is the next room to enter. From this room, we teach the importance and proper use of a fireplace or space heaters, how and when to call for 9-1-1, where to place and maintain smoke detectors, and why we maintain all electrical equipment in good condition. The last room is the bedroom, in which we have equipped with a heated door. Here we discuss how to exit the home in case of an emergency. This is demonstrated by releasing simulated smoke into the room, teaching how to roll out of bed and crawl low on the floor, feel to see if the door is hot, and exit out of the window to a predetermined meeting place.

FIRE SUPPRESSION/EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

The Fire Suppression/Emergency Operations Division operates from twelve stations located throughout the City. Located at these stations are 10 engines/pumpers, 2 quints aerial/pumper, 2 aerial trucks, 3 rescue vehicles, and 4 chiefs' vehicles ready for immediate response to fires, and other emergencies. Responsibilities of this division include fire fighting, emergency medical calls, and rescue and public assistance calls. Special teams have been established to handle hazardous materials incidents; underwater and top water rescue; and high-rise and heavy-duty rescue situations. The fire fighting force maintains a state of readiness through continued training; preventative maintenance of all apparatus and specialized equipment; conducting preplan inspections; and testing and maintaining the City's fire hydrant system.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Communications Division is the fast-paced nerve center of the department. Serving as a secondary PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point), the division handles all fire and EMS calls for the City of Beaumont. A team of two Fire Communications personnel, who are on duty each shift, receives the emergency calls. While one dispatcher is taking information from the call, the second dispatcher is sending out appropriate units. The Fire Communication Division dispatches most calls within fifteen to thirty seconds of the call. The Communications Division also serves as an after hours answering service for most other city departments.

TRAINING

The mission of the Training Division focuses on four related areas: 1) oversight and maintenance of regulated certifications, 2) development and evaluation of minimum performance standards and continuing education, 3) coordination of professional development and research activities, and, 4) occupational and incident safety.

There are over 90 types and levels of certification in varying emergency services disciplines that the division administers. The department’s three training officers currently oversee approximately 2,000 certifications of varying types and levels regulated by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, National Fire Protection Association, Texas Department of State Health Services, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.

Certification maintenance is critical and directly relates to the division’s other areas of focus. The division uses a Program Manager concept to allocate responsibility for results in the following eight training programs: 1) firefighting, 2) technical rescue, 3) hazardous materials, 4) emergency medical, 5) driver/operator, 6) officer development, 7) incident and occupational safety, and 8) physical fitness and wellness.

The training division posts development opportunities and coordinates the department’s professional development initiatives, including the college reimbursement program, travel-related conferences, and local training seminars. Training officers also serve as the department’s safety officers at major emergency events. The division also maintains a database of training and other information relating to the city’s Insurance Service Office rating.

FIREHOUSE BAND

The Beaumont Firehouse Band was organized in 1984 and includes in its repertoire a variety of patriotic, popular, and country music. The band plays in parades, at charity functions, hospitals, nursing and retirement homes, schools, and many other community events. This service is offered at no cost and they are available for most functions.

FIRE MUSEUM