Your upcoming Fire Inspection will be based on the requirements of the Florida Fire Prevention Code.  To assist you with compliance, the following is a list of some items that may be looked at. 

• Missing street address numbers (min. 3”)
• Open electrical boxes, missing outlet/ switch plates
• Improper or exposed electrical wiring
• Missing fire extinguisher or no current State Inspection Tag
• Missing/ inoperative emergency lighting
• Extension cords used as permanent wiring
• Missing Emergency Plan
• Missing/ improper handrails on stairs
• Missing/ inoperative smoke detectors, including one needed for the hearing impaired for hotels, motels, or vacation rentals.

Also review our:

A fire watch is required whenever a fire protection system or systems is out of service for four hours or more in a 24 hour period.  Additionally, a fire watch may be ordered whenever a system is deemed unreliable by the Fire Department due to more than three (3) false alarms in a 24 hour period. Finally, a fire watch may be ordered after a fire that has compromised a buildings required fire or life safety system, or when department staff feel that a system may fail to properly protect or alert occupants from danger. Any questions can be directed to prevention@FMBFirefl.gov

The Florida Fire Prevention Code requires the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District to have over site and inspection of special outdoor events and festivals. Permits for these events are issued through Lee County Permitting and/or the Town of Fort Myers Beach.

Special Event Applications can be requested from and submitted to Life Safety via email prevention@FMBFirefl.gov or in person at Headquarters, 100 Voorhis Street.

Event sponsors are responsible to ensure that each vendor is compliant with established codes, rules, and regulations.   Please ensure all vendors are familiar with established standards. Once a Special Event Application is received please allow up to (14) business days for review and approval.   Review Fees, Inspection Fees, and Apparatus Standby Fees may apply. Payment for fees associated with Special Events will be emailed to the Event Applicant and are required to be paid prior to application release.

The crime of Arson impacts all members of the community through increased insurance ratings, and the potential risk Arson poses to life along with property.   Any fire that is determined to be “Incendiary” or labeled as “Unknown” are routinely referred to the Florida State Fire Marshal Investigators who will conduct joint investigations with the District Fire Investigator.

The District Fire Investigators are active members on the Lee County Arson Task Force which provides assistance to the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office on major fire investigations throughout the (5) counties that make up Southwest Florida.

After the Fire:

After the fire is controlled, typically District Fire Investigators will make contact with the property owner or responsible party.   It is important to note that Fire Investigators will be taking photographs conducting interviews, and evaluating the scene carefully.  These are standard parts of a fire investigation.

Property owners are allowed at some point to be accompanied by a fire investigator to retrieve personal belongings and possessions.  Items retrieved from the fire scene will be photographed and cataloged as part of the final fire investigation report.

Once fire investigators release the scene to the responsible party, it is imperative that home owners understand that the fire scene is still hazardous, and private investigators for the insurance company will typically be on site within (24) to (48) hours after the fact to conduct an investigation to determine origin and cause.

Retrieving Fire Investigation Reports:

Fire Investigation reports are typically available within (3) weeks of a fire.  Request a copy of a Fire Investigation report.

Florida State Fire Marshal Office

CARBON MOXIDE SAFETY

The Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District wishes to remind all property owners of the risks associated with using gas-fed appliances. Any gas appliance designed to be used inside a structure must be properly designed, installed, and maintained according to codes and standards. In addition, detectors rated to detect the presence of carbon monoxide and other deadly gases should be installed throughout the structure. Please see our Gas Appliance Safety Sheet for additional measures to be taken to stay safe while using gas-powered appliances. The Fire District has a supply of free carbon monoxide detectors available at our Headquarters office located at 100 Voorhis St, please email us prevention@fmbfirefl.gov.

Hotel/Motel Fire Safety:

Vacation is a time to relax, enjoy time away from work, and enjoy the company of friends and loved ones, however, when it comes to Fire Safety there never is a vacation.   The Fort Myers Beach Fire District would like to encourage all visitors in our community to be active partners in their safety by taking a few moments do the following:

• Take time to locate the Fire Exit closest to your room.
• Make sure your hotel has working smoke detectors.
• Evacuate the structure if the fire alarm sounds.
• For our international visitors, 911 is the number to call for POLICE, FIRE, or AMBULANCE services.

High Rise/ Condo Fire Safety:

The Fort Myers Beach community offers tremendous natural beauty year round to our residents and visitors.   It is no surprise that many residents and visitors elect to spend their time in High-Rise/Condo’s that offer a spectacular view of our Island Paradise.   The National Fire Protection Association classifies a high-rise as any building that is (75) feet above ground level.

When a fire occurs in a High Rise/Condo this can quickly become a very serious situation, however, by taking the following steps will help keep you and your family safe:

• If a fire occurs always use the stairs ever the elevator
• Ensure all smoke detectors are working
• Never leave unattended food cooking on the stove or in the oven
• If there is a fire alarm pull station on your way out, activate it sound the buildings fire alarm
• Know the location of your closest fire exit

Residents and Condominium Board members are highly encouraged to visit NFPA website for further important information on how to keep your High-Rise/Condo community safe.

Engaging our citizens and business community in becoming active partners with their Fire District in Safety is essential to building a strong, safe, and resilient community.  The Fort Myers Beach Fire District offers a wide range of free public education opportunities to help our community members in becoming active partners in their safety.

COMMUNITY CPR AND FIRST AID

Early bystander cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and early access to defibrillation with an automated external defibrillator (AED) is critical to survival of out of hospital cardiac arrest.  When a beating heart stops, every minute that CPR is not performed dramatically affects survivability.  Therefore, the Fort Myers Beach Fire District offers free community CPR and AED to our community partners throughout the year.   To learn more about community CPR and AED please go to http://www.sca-aware.org/community-cpr-aed-programs.

If any individual or group is interested in taking, a community CPR class email the Life Safety Division at prevention@fmbfirefl.gov.  Classes are held for groups of minimum of six or more.

Please note that CPR standards have changed in recent years. Please contact us to set up training on the most recent lifesaving changes! 

FIRE SAFETY

Whether in the home or at work Fire Safety should always be on everyone’s mind, it only takes a few moments for tragedy to occur.  The Fort Myers Beach Fire District takes are community’s Fire Safety very seriously, therefore we offer a wide array of Fire Safety educational opportunity such as:

• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Community presentation on Fire Safety in the Home
• Fire Safety Presentation to business groups

If you are interested in learning more about fire safety for your home or place of business, please email the Life Safety Division at prevention@fmbfirefl.gov 

CAR SEAT INSTALLATION

Over 73% of child car seats are installed incorrectly. This sobering statistic is why the Fort Myers Beach Fire District has partnered with Safe Kids International and Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida to provide free car seat installation and inspection service.  If you or someone you know is need of having a car seat installed or inspected please contact the Life Safety Division at prevention@fmbfirefl.gov

LEE GROWS

Lee GROWS is a program run by Lee County for anyone interested in getting a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes of Lee County Government.  We find this program to be very beneficial for our community members as it allows them to tour the Emergency Operations Center and Dispatch Center to see the process of calling 911.  For more information or to set up a tour, please click here. LeeGROWS