COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

DIVISION UPDATES – December 2008

· A pilot program was conducted on the NJ Uniform Fire Code; Subchapter 3 IFC 2006 NJ Edition to DFS Fire Inspectors and DCA code development staff. A contracted vendor was hired to develop and deliver the Code Update program during the Spring 2009 semester. Technical concerns in the program identified through the pilot delivery will require an additional three weeks of development work by the vendor. As a result, the first series of classes scheduled in December have been rescheduled to early January 2009 dates. The effective date of the newly adopted International Fire Code with NJ modifications is February 1, 2009.

· The 2008 Annual Report is going paperless and will be sent out electronically to all LEA’s sometime this month. The Annual Report and the LHU printout will enable FO’s to complete and return them electronically. The inspections certification portion will need to be printed out, signed by the FO and Chief Financial Officer, notarized and mailed back to the Division.

· Future seminar brochures will not be mailed out but available to view through the Division website.

· Local Enforcing Agencies can view their anticipated revenues on the NJ Portal.

· The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today issued an Interim Final Rule to address safety concerns raised by the firefighting community regarding high-visibility safety apparel (see Worker Visibility Final Rule - 23 CFR Part 634, below).

The Interim Final Rule:

Revises the definition of "worker" to exclude firefighters when they are exposed to flame, fire, high heat or hazardous materials.

Exempts firefighters from the requirement to use high-visibility safety apparel, as defined in this rule, when they are exposed to hazardous conditions where the use of such apparel may increase the risk of injury to firefighter personnel.

The Interim Final Rule is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-27671.htm

Kean University has awarded a contract to update the State 90-hour Fire Inspector Certification Program. This initiative is necessary since NJ has adopted the International Fire Code (with NJ modifications). A February 2009 effective date has been established. In order for our training program to reflect the adopted code the current program will need to be updated which currently references the BOCA Code. The program materials are due by November 1, 2008.

The Governor’s Office has requested that the Division conduct on site visits at high rises throughout the State that have been identified as having partial sprinkler systems. The objective is to ensure that an accurate data base can be established that includes total square footage that is not suppressed. Once this information is gathered, an accurate and efficient cost analysis can be done on. There are approximately 412 high rises listed as having only partial sprinkler systems. Please note that Division representatives are finding inaccurate information previously submitted such as square footage, buildings not high rises, retrofit violations including elevator barriers, recirculation shut-downs, manual pull stations and wrong LHU registrations.

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County Fire Prevention Update

December 2008

Smoke detectors are still available in the Carteret warehouse. Those wanting detectors are to e-mail Charlie Luxton at (cluxton@dca.state.nj.us).

A1074 Authorizes municipalities and fire districts to require physician's certificate as condition for service or continuing service by volunteer fire fighters.
2nd Reading in the Assembly

New Jersey is currently at 97% reporting participation of fire departments in the National Fire Incident Reporting System for 2007. Reporting percentage for 2006 has reached 98%. New Jersey ranks number 6 in the nation for statewide fire department reporting participation percentage, which is a huge accomplishment since New Jersey is a non-mandatory reporting state.

We would like to remind fire officials that new fire officials have to notify us within 5 days of their appointment (signed letter and an official copy of their actual appointment).

Please send us your email address. Go to the Division website at www.state.nj.us/dca/dfs and click on the link “FIRE OFFICIAL E-MAIL”. You will soon be receiving Semi-Annual Reports as well as other announcements and information on-line. https://portal01.state.nj.us/state.nj.us Otherwise contact Karen Luckie with your email address at: karen.luckie@dca.state.nj.us

All FO’s should have received an authorization code so that they can access the DFS portal. This access allows them to update any registrations issues they may find. Contact your Local Assistance Rep. or Karen Luckie at karen.luckie@dca.state.nj.us if you have not received this access code.

The Fire Focus has returned and is available on the DCA, Division of Fire Safety website electronically at www.state.nj.us/dca/dfs.

Assembly Bill A1027 sponsored by Wisniewski & Chivukula, makes residential fire extinguisher requirement optional at municipal level. Referred to Committee, 5/19/08.

The most current list of permitted contractors is available through the Contractors Certification Unit. The updated list will be posted on the DFS website shortly, until then please contact Gary Licknack or your Local Assistance Representative if you desire the list.

School lockdown guidelines that Camden County was working are available to LEA’s, however you must remove any reference to Camden in the guidelines. Contact your Local Assistance Representative if you would like a copy.