Ask the Fire Chief: Community Safety

Fire Chief Herbert Griffin answers your questions about the Raleigh Fire Department, just ask.

Question: What would you say is one element that's crucial to community safety?

Answer: Fire inspections! They are essential for various reasons, mainly related to firefighter and community safety. The main benefit of fire inspections is that they provide an opportunity to educate the community of fire safety. Our goal in the Raleigh Fire Department is to help educate our business community, not punish them with citations. Once people understand the reasoning behind fire codes, most of the time they will comply. I know most businesses want to ensure the safety of their employees and customers.

Not only do fire inspections keep residents safe and businesses open, but they can also create an opportunity for firefighters to learn about the building construction and special hazards that can be uploaded in our data system as pre-dispatch information.