Fire marshal holds classes to prepare for inspections

Newsboy photo/ Charles Kerr WOULD THIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER make a better door stop than fire safety device? Probably, according to Jasper Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson, since it is so old it does not even have a pressure gauge. Williamson's free classes will help business owners prepare for upcoming city safety inspections.

Jasper Fire Marshal Stephen Williamson will offer free meetings to help local businesses prepare for fire safety inspections. The meetings at Jasper City Hall are open to anyone in Jasper or beyond who would like to learn more about fire safety and code compliance. Williamson sent letters to Jasper businesses inviting them to specific meetings.

"Most of the information will be useful to people regardless where their business is," Williamson said, but the meetings are geared to the special needs of certain types of businesses.

A meeting for gas stations and convenience stores will be held March 1 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Meetings for restaurants will be March 6, 8, 13 and 14 at 3 p.m. at city hall. The brief meetings, about 30 minutes plus question time, allow businesses to determine what they need to do to meet fire code requirements.

"Fire inspections are provided to any commercial locations within the City of Jasper at no cost," Williamson said. "The goal is simple- to increase the safety of our city."

When he finds something that needs to be repaired or corrected, Williamson said he allows the business reasonable time to make repairs.

Every business should have an annual fire inspection, after which they receive a certificate. For more information, call the fire marshal's office, 384-3790.