Don't be alarmed if you see a few firefighters heading into businesses across Starkville. The increased presence is part of the newly implemented changes to the code inspection system used by the Starkville Fire Department.
The department has started sending firefighters to businesses and apartments across the city to conduct basic inspections looking for code violations to help assist the two fire marshals in the department.
"The marshals have to deal with major businesses in the city and all the apartments," said SFD Chief Charles Yarbrough. "It turned out the inspections were kind of lacking since they had so much to do and it's no fault to them."
The adjustments will help create more information for senior staff to review code violations. After implementing the changes, the department conducted over 50 inspections in a month, compared to the 20 per month done by the marshals collectively before the changes, Yarbrough said.
"We have a form we give out to everyone and our engine companies file the form with the marshal and check off and note major violations at the bottom," Yarbrough said. "From that, the form goes to our inspectors and they'll turn around the same day and go out and deal with the violations."
The most common violations businesses make are using too many extension cords and inadvertently blocking emergency exits with storage boxes, he said. The new plans will free up the marshals to deal with the up and coming development in the area and give firefighters access to facilities outside of emergency situations, Yarbrough said.
"This is the change I want," Yarbrough said. "It's all about safety. Safety for our firefighters, business owners and the public."
The inspection changes will coincide with department adjustments to put the department in position to lower its insurance rating from the Mississippi Rating Bureau.
The Jackson-based organization determines insurance ratings for public entities across the state on a scale of 1 to 10. Currently, the department's rating is at four. Yarbrough hopes to lower the rating to three.
To achieve the lowered rating, the department will request to fully staff Station 5 on Reed Road which currently is only staffed every third day of the current shift cycle, he said.
"When I spoke with the bureau last year, that was one of the major things to lower our rating," Yarbrough said.
The chief hopes to ask the Starkville Board of Aldermen for more staff ahead of the new budget year, starting in September. The department currently has 64 firefighters and administrative staff. If Station 5 is fully staffed, the department would have 72 members, Yarbrough said.
"Hopefully the board will help us out and give us the resources we need," Yarbrough said. "The board has done a great job. Last year they added more police officers. We hope this year they will allow us to bring on more firefighters."
If business owners have questions about the inspection adjustments, curious parties should inquire at Station 1 on Russell Street, Yarbrough said.