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Fire chief reports inspections, EMS runs and enforces occupancy limit at local business
Summary
Fire Chief Lawson told council the department completed 46 inspections in 2024, handled 1,801 EMS runs (1,053 transports), and increased inspection staffing; he described enforcing a fire‑code occupancy limit after police observed an overcrowded event (138 people) where the indoor limit is 99.
Mt. Healthy’s fire chief reported to council on Jan. 21 that the department completed 46 inspections in 2024 across mercantile, daycare and residential categories and handled 1,801 EMS runs, transporting 1,053 patients to area hospitals.
Chief Lawson told council mutual‑aid exchanges included 182 responses given and 146 received. Fire reports listed 20 total building fires in 2024, of which three occurred in Mt. Healthy. He said the city has increased inspection capacity and that two additional inspectors will come online in 2025, bringing the inspection staff to five.
On enforcement, Lawson described a recent occupancy check at a business that previously operated under a different name. ‘‘Firefighters went in there and could see that it was crowded... They counted up to a 138 and said, okay, we're gonna close you down,’’ he said, noting the indoor occupancy allowed by the fire code was 99. Lawson said an architect subsequently reviewed the space and confirmed the department’s limit.
Lawson also described the department’s enforcement process for code violations and the timeline for reinspections and potential fines if businesses fail to comply.
Next steps: staffing is expected to improve as recruits complete training; the fire department will continue inspections, re‑inspections and targeted occupancy enforcement as needed.
