The Gerald-Rosebud Fire Protection District is in the process of developing new procedures to ensure area safety.

A new Fire Marshal/Prevention office is being created which will provide many benefits to the taxpayers in their district.

Battalion Chief/Fire Marshal Hayden Schoenfeld will head the new department. Capt. Anthony Wehmeyer will serve as Deputy Fire Marshal.

The first part of the plan involves the district adopting an amended version of the 2024 International Fire Codes to replace the current code from 2008.

Schoenfeld says too often the first time the district meets a business owner is after a 911 call. He feels the new program will be a proactive approach in dealing with this. Their ultimate goal is to provide extra safety for the community and for firefighters.

This involves visiting all commercial buildings in the district to form a pre-fire plan for each. This has already begun and will include mapping the building and adjacent area, locating utilities, listing where fire equipment could best be placed and making note of unusual circumstances. This pre-plan could save valuable time in an emergency.

A copy of the pre-plan will be given to the business owner who can then submit it to their insurance carrier. This could result in  premium savings for the business owner, and could lower ISO ratings. This could help lower rates district wide. The department will be doing these pre-plans for all commercial buildings, but they offer them for residential owners by request

This approach is meant to be helpful, not hurtful. During a walk through, the marshals may find ways to help the business operate more safely.

The ultimate goal is to provide safety to the community, Schoenfeld notes.

Residential owners can also benefit from the program. For example use and placement of fire extinguishers in the home can be discussed with trained personnel. Have questions on the best way to vent your dryer? They can offer advice. Not sure where to mount those smoke detectors? They can help.

All services are free.

It may take another month or so before the district’s board of directors officially adopt the code. Once in place, it could make a dramatic impact on fire safety in the area.

For example, a “red flag” warning not to burn outside was just that — a warning. Once the ordinance is adopted, the designation becomes a fire law.

Schoenfeld and Wehmeyer will also accompany City Inspector Phil Pilgram on his inspections. They will not be there to check that building codes are enforced, but rather that fire codes are being followed.

This new program is the newest initiative from the department to provide excellent fire safety initiatives to their district and their taxpayers.

You may contact Schoenfeld at 573-201-9415 with any questions or concerns.