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Public Safety Committee OKs agreement to use electronic inspection reporting system
Summary
The Homewood Public Safety Committee voted 5-0 to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Life Safety Inspection Vault LLC to accept electronic reports of life-safety inspection deficiencies, a no-cost contract to the city that staff says will speed notifications to inspectors.
The Public Safety Committee of Homewood City voted 5-0 on Jan. 6 to authorize the mayor to sign an agreement with Life Safety Inspection Vault LLC to accept electronic reports of life-safety inspection deficiencies for the fire department.
A city staff member leading the presentation said the contract carries no cost to the city and would let third-party inspection companies submit deficiency reports electronically instead of printing and mailing notices. “This would just be an online version,” the staff member said.
Committee members were told the system, known in shorthand as “Liv,” will actively notify the fire department when a licensed inspector reports a deficiency — for example issues with sprinkler systems, fire alarms or exits — allowing the department to target inspections rather than attempt to inspect every business each year. The staff member said the system is already used by nearby municipalities and that the vendor offers one-on-one training and video resources.
The presentation said the companies that perform inspections will continue to bill their customers as before; the vendor charges $15 to transmit a report electronically, which the presenter said is built into inspection fees and does not raise costs for businesses. The staff member also said the department reviewed contract language with Mr. Kendrick and that the version before the committee reflects his agreement.
Committee members did not raise substantive objections during the discussion and moved to approve the item. Councilor Robertson made the motion; Councilor Harden seconded it. The committee approved the request 5-0.
The committee record notes that the agreement authorizes the mayor to sign with Life Safety Inspection Vault LLC to accept electronic reports for the fire department chief Broadhead. The contract was described in the meeting as intended to improve notification speed and documentation for recurring problem properties, and the staff presentation emphasized training and vendor support to help local inspection companies adopt the system.
No additional conditions, amendments, or budgetary allocations were recorded in the committee discussion. Staff described the item as a technology and process change rather than a new inspection requirement; the presenter said the requirement to report deficiencies remains the same under the fire code and that this agreement simply changes the reporting method.
The Public Safety Committee adjourned after the vote.
