The Fire Prevention Bureau consists of the following personnel: Bureau Chief Patrick Wambo, Inspectors Tom King and Brandon Loboschefski. A total of up to five fire safety inspectors can be pooled from the ranks of the Fire Division. Any Inspector who is employed by the Maumee Fire Division must meet State of Ohio requirements to be a Fire Safety Inspector. 

The Fire Prevention Bureau Chief's duties include, but are not limited to the following: 

· Inspection of structures for enforcement of the applicable fire and building codes 
· Review of structural drawings for fire protection 
· Assignment of inspections to FPB personnel 
· Coordination of activities between the city of Maumee's Division of Building and Zoning and the Fire Prevention Bureau personnel 
· Assists with preplanning of structures for emergencies 
· In charge of fire and arson investigations when deemed necessary 
· Issue fire safety permits 
· Fire safety classes, talks and demonstrations 

The daily work of the Fire Safety Inspectors may include: 
· Building inspections for fire code compliance 
· Tours of the fire station 
· Safety talks 

The Maumee Fire Prevention Bureau averages over 1200 fire safety inspections per calendar year. This figure does not include tours, safety classes, and public assembly safety stand-bys. Home fire safety inspections are done upon request of the occupant. 

At the time of a new business opening, personnel from the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Division of Building and Zoning jointly visit the building and review it for structural building and fire code compliance. Once this has been accomplished, the Fire Prevention Bureau personnel visit the business on a semi-annual or annual visit to make sure the business stays in compliance with the codes. 

The Maumee Fire Prevention Bureau, as permitted by City Codified Ordinances, utilizes through adoption of the Ohio Fire Code (OFC), the Building Official's and Code Administrator's Code (BOCA) and the National Fire Protection Association's National Fire Codes rules and standards for enforcement of the fire regulations for the City of Maumee's jurisdictional boundaries. 

The Fire Prevention Bureau, while performing fire or arson investigations, utilizes the personnel from the Bureau of Firefighting of the Maumee Fire Division for additional assistance. The Bureau investigates an average of 12 to 18 fires of significant value or loss each year. A majority of these cases are linked to juvenile firesetters. 

Safety classes taught to businesses within the City are free of charge. Many of these classes deal with portable fire extinguishers usage, general fire safety for businesses, and evacuation planning. Talks to pre-school and school-aged children are aided with the use of an adult-sized Dalmatian dog costume. The talks range from informing students about "stop, drop and roll" techniques if their clothes catch on fire, to what to do if a fire should occur in their home. One highly stressed item is that the children learn not to play with matches and lighters. 

Tours of Fire Station #1 are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Contact the Fire Prevention Bureau personnel to set up a tour.  

Fire insurance premiums within the City of Maumee are relatively low, due to the facilities and services provided by the City for fire and water services. The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is an independent organization that works through insurance companies throughout the United States to assist in establishing insurance ratings for communities. However, ISO does not set the cost ratings (premiums) for insurance ratings; this is established by individual insurance companies. ISO visits communities usually on 15-year spans. Maumee's last ISO visit was in 1998. The ISO representative reviews several areas of services or facilities, and a point system is delivered. Water services, such as the number of fire hydrants, their spacing, water supply, etc., are reviewed. When reviewing the Fire Division, such categories as type of fire service personnel, whether volunteer or full-time, amount and type of fire equipment or apparatus, and training records are reviewed. 

The ratings of ISO range from Class 10, which is the lowest level of ratings, to Class 1, the highest. The City of Maumee, with its preponderance of utility and safety services to its citizens, has maintained a Class 4 rating for many years. Regarding premium costs, they range in relation to the construction of each residential building. This can be anywhere from $200.00 to $1,000.00 annually. The ISO rating for commercial structures in Maumee is also a Class 4. Commercial premiums may be as high as $7,000.00 per year, all depending upon the building. 

Operations: All Fire Prevention operations are located at Fire Station #2, 450 W. Dussel Drive, Maumee, Ohio 43537.

Contact the Bureau:  fireprevention@maumee.org, king-tom@maumee.org, or loboschefski-brandon@maumee.org. Telephone: 419-897-7051, 419-897-7052 or 419-897-7053; Fax: 419-897-7195.