Fire Prevention Bureau
The Bureau of Fire Prevention is responsible for providing fire and life safety protection to the public by ensuring fire code compliance and enforcement of the Fire Prevention Laws and Codes. Two major functions of the Bureau are the review of building plans for all life safety systems and the inspection and testing of any installation, alteration, modification, or repair to any fire alarm, sprinkler or suppression system. Additional responsibilities include:
Issuance of permits as mandated by MGL Chapter 148; 527CMR (Board of Fire Prevention Regulations).
Administer the state mandated inspection program conducted by fire suppression personnel for public and private schools, hospitals, hotels, clinics, day care centers, theaters and nursing homes.
Administer the residential smoke detector compliance law and supervise the smoke detector inspection program conducted by fire suppression personnel.
Conduct inspections for the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy and Smoke Detector Certifications.
Conduct inspections as required by the City of Cambridge License Commission
Administer the Fire Detail program as required for public safety.
Administer and perform inspections of the state mandated fuel storage tank regulations.
Administer the annual flammable storage permits and supervise the inspection by suppression forces.
Provide the necessary resources required for public events.
Perform inspections of restaurants and nightclubs as part of the City Managers License Task Force.
Investigate and mitigate complaints received from the public, other city agencies, and the fire suppression forces that involve fire hazard and life safety code violations.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention reports directly to the Chief of Department. This Division is staffed with one Deputy Chief, two Fire Captains, two Fire Lieutenants and two Firefighters.