City’s Fire/Code Inspections Task Force Wraps-Up Phase One

Phase two will finalize recommendations before going

to Council’s Public Safety committee for public hearing & review

Portland, Maine - Phase one of the City’s Fire/Code Inspections Task Force is now complete following three meetings in December with the internal members. The Task Force will now move into phase two, which will include the addition of the external members representing landlords and tenants as well as the Portland Housing Authority. This group will meet four times during the month of January in order to develop final recommendations that will be presented to the City Council’s Public Safety, Health & Human Services Committee at its February 10 meeting. Prior to the committee meeting, the Task Force will host a hearing the week of February 2nd to receive feedback from the public.

“I think the Task Force has made clear progress in identifying issues for further action, and I look
forward to the next phase with the external members,” said Mayor Michael Brennan. “I want to encourage the public to attend the hearing in February so we can gain additional feedback before the Council adopts any changes.”

“I’m strongly encouraged by the collaborative approach that the city agencies are taking in improving the safety of our city, and I’m confident that this approach will continue as we bring in additional stakeholders,” said Councilor Ed Suslovic. “I look forward to the public weighing in at the Task Force’s hearing as well as at our Committee meeting.”

The Task Force, staffed by Julie Sullivan, Acting Chief of Staff, is currently weighing all options in which the City, landlords, and tenants can do in order to provide safe housing for Portland residents. Thus far the Task Force has discussed the following ideas:
·         the creation of one department that houses both fire prevention inspectors and code enforcement inspectors;
·         an improved centralized database to track complaints and inspections, portions of which the public could access online to view property information;
·         a proactive inspections program vs. an enhanced complaint-driven program
·         increased enforcement policies

Task Force member Keith Gautreau, newly named Acting Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention & Community Outreach for the Portland Fire Department, has also stressed the importance of an educational campaign on fire safety and prevention methods that would specifically reach college students and young professionals who live in rental units.

Upcoming Task Force meetings:

·         January 5, 2015 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM in Room 24, City Hall.
·         January 12, 2015 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM in Room 24, City Hall.
·         January 26, 2015 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM in Room 209, City Hall.
·         January 29, 2015 from 2:30 – 4:00 PM in Room 209, City Hall.
·         Week of February 2, 2015 – Public Hearing
·         February 10, 2015 at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers  – Presentation to Public Safety, Health & Human Services Committee

REMINDER
For anyone who has fire safety questions or concerns that they’d like to talk about, please call City Fire Prevention officials at 207.482.LIFE or email life@portlandmaine.gov.