Fire Marhsall Robert Pace and Captain Chevy Pierce discuss inspections, public education, free safety resources, and proactive efforts to better protect Centre residents

 

CENTRE — The Centre Fire Department is placing renewed focus on prevention, education, and proactive community safety, with department leadership emphasizing that protecting lives begins long before an emergency call comes in.

During a recent interview with WEIS News, Centre Fire Marshall Robert Pace and Captain Chevy Pierce discussed the department’s growing efforts to better equip firefighters, educate residents, and strengthen safety standards throughout the community.

The conversation highlighted several initiatives underway within the department, including expanded firefighter training, public CPR and AED education, free smoke detector installation programs, school and business safety outreach, and increased attention to fire inspections and building safety.

According to Pace and Pierce, the department’s mission extends beyond emergency response. While firefighters remain ready to respond when residents call 911, the department also wants to help people avoid emergencies before they happen.

One of the department’s strongest areas of focus is education. Pace said the fire department is committed to training firefighters not only to better serve the community during emergencies, but also to educate the public about ways to improve safety at home, school, work, and in public spaces.

The Centre Fire Department currently has multiple Life and Safety Educators who are able to teach classes for schools, businesses, churches, apartment complexes, daycares, and residents. The department provides education on a variety of safety topics and hopes to expand those efforts in the near future.

Pace said he has a passion for teaching and values opportunities to conduct educational outreach in schools, businesses, and surrounding communities. In addition to serving as Centre Fire Chief, Pace also serves as Fire Marshal for the City of Centre and occasionally travels to neighboring communities when invited to assist with training or educational programs.

Another major initiative currently in development is expanded CPR and AED education. Pace said the department plans to offer more opportunities for CPR and AED certification training in the future and is working to secure the equipment needed to expand those offerings.

The training is expected to be offered at no cost to the public. The only charge would be a $5 fee for individuals who choose to receive an official CPR certification card.

The department is also working to further firefighter development internally. Firefighters are currently completing testing to advance their medical training and instructor certifications, creating additional opportunities for firefighters to help educate and serve the public.

Smoke Detector Program Offers Free Home Safety Assistance

One service some residents may not realize is available through the Centre Fire Department is its smoke detector assistance program.

Officials said firefighters will come to a residence, evaluate how many smoke detectors are needed, determine the best placement locations, and install detectors in the home at no cost to residents.

The department believes ensuring homes have properly placed smoke alarms is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve safety and prevent tragedy.

Increased Focus on Building Safety and Fire Inspections

Another area of emphasis discussed during the interview was fire inspections and ensuring buildings and businesses remain safe for occupancy.

Pace said residents and business owners may notice increased activity surrounding building inspections in the coming months.

He explained that over time, inspections have not been conducted at the frequency needed to fully meet state requirements, and the department is working to correct that by becoming current with state guidelines as required by law.

Pace emphasized to WEIS News that the department’s focus is not intended to force people to spend money or simply satisfy legal requirements. Instead, the goal is protecting lives and preventing avoidable tragedies.

Business owners are required to maintain a Certificate of Occupancy in order for people to legally occupy or patronize a business.

A Certificate of Occupancy, commonly referred to as a CO, is an official document issued by a local government agency confirming a property complies with applicable building codes, zoning requirements, and safety standards. The certificate confirms that a building is legally safe for habitation or use.

The importance of maintaining a valid Certificate of Occupancy extends beyond legal compliance.

Without one, it can be unlawful to live in or operate a business in a newly constructed or substantially renovated structure. Violations can potentially result in fines, eviction, or increased permitting fees.

Mortgage lenders and commercial financing institutions often require a valid Certificate of Occupancy before approving loans related to new construction or altered buildings.

Insurance providers may also require proper documentation, and the absence of required inspections or occupancy paperwork can potentially affect claim approval following an emergency.

Certificates of Occupancy also help confirm a property’s legal use classification and ensure all required inspections and permits were completed properly.

For businesses, the documentation can be necessary for licensing and fire inspection approval.

Pace said studying tragedies where proper protections were not in place motivates his desire to strengthen prevention efforts and help ensure similar situations do not happen locally.

He said history has shown that safety measures matter and wants residents to understand why issues that may seem minor can become major hazards during a fire.

As an example, Pace explained that something as simple as a hole in a wall may appear insignificant to a business owner but can create a dangerous pathway for fire to travel. During a fire, flames naturally move along paths of least resistance and can spread upward into ceiling spaces, making suppression more difficult and potentially increasing the risk of total property loss.

If a building is not up to code or lacks proper paperwork, additional complications could arise involving insurance coverage following a devastating loss.

Pace said he “is simply trying to do what we live by, and save lives and protect people.” He said “we have to protect, or we have failed at our jobs.”

To help explain why modern codes and inspections exist, Pace provided WEIS News with a code presentation exploring historical tragedies where proper protections were absent and safety failures contributed to catastrophic loss of life.

Fire Codes Presentation

Centre Fire Department Releases Fire Inspection Information

The Centre Fire Department recently issued the following information to help business owners and residents better understand fire inspections and business safety:

Centre Fire Department – Fire Inspections and Business Safety

The Centre Fire Department wants to make sure our community clearly understands the purpose of fire inspections and why they matter for both businesses and the public.

Fire inspections are an important part of keeping people safe. Our trained fire personnel check buildings to make sure they meet basic fire safety standards. The goal is simple: find and fix potential problems before they turn into emergencies.

What We Look For During an Inspection
When we inspect a building, we focus on key safety issues such as:

• Making sure exits are clearly marked and easy to access

• Checking that fire alarms and sprinkler systems are working properly

• Ensuring safe storage of flammable or hazardous materials

• Keeping fire lanes and access points clear for emergency responders

• Making sure occupancy limits and safety codes are followed

Fire inspections also help us create pre-plans for buildings. These plans give firefighters important information they can use to respond more quickly and safely during an emergency. Pre-plans can include details such as building layout, entry and exit points, utility shutoffs, locations of fire alarm and sprinkler systems, and any hazards inside the structure. This allows responders to make faster decisions, avoid dangerous conditions, and operate more effectively when seconds matter.

When Inspections Are Required
Fire inspections are required:

• For new construction projects

• Before a business can open (Certificate of Occupancy)

• Periodically for existing commercial buildings

A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) means a building has been inspected and meets minimum safety requirements for people to live, work, or do business inside.

Why This Matters
Operating a business without a valid Certificate of Occupancy or required fire inspection approval is a violation of city ordinance and state law. It also puts lives at risk.

Our responsibility is to protect:

• Employees

• Customers

• Property owners

• Emergency responders

Enforcement and Compliance
If a business is not in compliance, the Fire Department will take appropriate enforcement action. This may include:

• Written notices of violations

• Follow-up inspections and possible fees

• Coordination with the city regarding business licenses

• Citations or legal action when necessary

• Orders to stop work or close a building until issues are corrected

Serious safety hazards may require immediate action.

Our Approach
Our goal is not to punish businesses. We are here to help.

We work with business owners and property managers to:

• Explain what needs to be fixed

• Provide guidance on how to correct issues

• Allow reasonable time to come into compliance whenever possible

However, when there is an immediate danger to life safety or when required approvals are not obtained, action will be taken to ensure compliance.

A Safer Community for Everyone
By addressing fire risks early, inspections help prevent fires, reduce injuries, and protect our community.

If you have questions or need to schedule an inspection, please contact:

Centre Fire Department
Phone: 256-927-3333
Email: centrefiredept@gmail.com

In speaking with Pace and Pierce, one message became clear: the Centre Fire Department’s commitment to protecting the community extends far beyond emergency response. While firefighters stand ready to answer the call when emergencies happen, department leadership hopes residents understand that safety begins long before a 911 call is ever made. Through education, inspections, outreach, training opportunities, and free safety resources, the department wants to equip residents with the knowledge and tools needed to better protect themselves, their families, and their businesses. Their hope is that the community sees the fire department not only as first responders in times of crisis, but also as a trusted resource always available to help residents take proactive steps toward safety before disaster strikes.