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Fire marshal launches website and third‑party pilot; council funds two new inspector positions
Summary
BCFD and the Office of the Fire Marshal began a soft launch of a new fire‑marshal microsite and a limited third‑party plan‑review pilot intended to speed low‑impact permits. Department leaders said $500,000 in the FY26 budget will be used to add roughly two inspector positions and expand plan‑review capacity.
Captain Dennis Dawson and the fire‑marshal office described a new microsite and a limited third‑party plans‑review pilot designed to shorten turnaround for lower‑complexity permits, such as small sprinkler head relocations, alarm-device changes and kitchen hood systems.
What the pilot does: The pilot authorizes qualified third‑party reviewers (certified plans reviewers or fire‑protection engineers) to examine certain low‑complexity submissions so work can proceed more quickly; the fire marshal’s office retains final approval and performs an on‑site walkthrough inspection before final sign‑off. Department officials said the third‑party reviewer must provide certification numbers and meet minimum qualifications and that the customer, not the city, will pay the third‑party reviewer.
Staffing and budget: Chief Wallace and fire‑marshal leadership said the fire marshal’s office currently has 33 inspectors, that the FY26 budget includes $500,000 to expand capacity, and that the likely immediate step is to create two additional fire‑inspector positions (moving the inspector count to 35) while continuing to recruit and train civilian plans reviewers. Captain Dawson said the office is providing internal fire‑inspector and plans‑review training and expects improved throughput as staff and processes are adjusted.
Turnaround goals and checks: BCFD said the pilot aims for much quicker turnaround on specific low‑complexity plan sets — officials said they expect many of those to be reviewed and cleared within seven to 10 business days if the submission is complete — and emphasized that larger, complex projects will continue to receive full departmental review.
Why this matters: Councilmembers had previously criticized permitting delays; the department said this combination of additional staffing, targeted training, a new website to explain permit expectations, and a third‑party pilot is intended to reduce wait times and give contractors clearer instructions about filings and inspection workflows.
Next steps: The fire marshal’s office will evaluate the pilot, continue industry outreach, expand its trainings for internal reviewers and report on operational metrics as requested by the committee.
