life safety & support services

Ron Martin

Division Chief of Life Safety

Welcome to the Life Safety & Support Services branch

As Fire Marshal for the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District, it is my pleasure to welcome you to our page. Please take a moment to look around, you will find some very helpful information whether you are a new business owner to our community, or a long time resident looking for some ideas to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe, we can be a helpful resource.

The Life Safety & Support Services Branch’s main job is to prevent fires and conditions that can impact our citizens and visitors life safety while enjoying our beautiful beach side community. We accomplish this task by enforcing the Florida Fire Prevention Code, which is a creation of Florida Administrative Code 69A and Florida Statute Chapter 633 the Florida Fire Prevention and Control Act.

In addition to enforcing the Florida Fire Prevention Code, we also offer a variety of public education aimed at increasing the safety, health, and well-being of our citizen partners in the community.

I strongly encourage all residents, visitors, and business owners to read and become familiar with our Citizen and Business Owners Bill of Rights. In addition I encourage all individuals conducting business with the Life Safety & Support Services Branch to read and become familiar with our Dispute Resolution Policy.

Amber Datko

Life Safety and Support Services Asst.

Life Safety Division

The Fort Myers Beach Life Safety Division is responsible for Fire Code Compliance, inspection, and oversight of construction of all structures that are subjected to the Florida State Fire Code. The Division is also a leader for public community education providing Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid, and Automated External Defibrillator (AED); as well as increasing public safety through many public education programs.

Property Ordinace Registration

In February 2016, the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District Board of Commissioners enacted Ordinance 2016-001. This new Ordinance was created for the specific purpose of saving lives and properties by allowing District Fire Inspectors to work cooperatively with owners to identify risks to fire and life safety.

Occupancy inspections

Click the link below to submit a schedule request for your inspection.

Request Inspection

Report a fire/life safety concern

Fire and Life Safety in our community is everyone’s responsibility, if you feel there is an issue that warrants a fire inspectors attention, please provide the following information, and one of our inspectors will conduct a follow-up.

Report Concern

Preparing for a Fire Inspection

Your upcoming Fire Inspection will be based on the requirements of the Florida Fire Prevention Code, as well as certain rules enacted by the Florida State Fire Marshal. To assist our community with compliance, the following is a list of the most commonly discovered issues during a fire inspection.

Missing street address numbers (min. 3”)
Open electrical boxes, missing outlet/ switch plates.
Improper or exposed electrical wiring
Missing fire extinguisher
Missing/ inoperative emergency lighting
Extension cords used as permanent wiring
Missing Emergency Plan
Missing/ improper handrails on stairs
Missing/ inoperative smoke alarms, including one needed for the hearing impaired for hotels, motels, or vacation rentals.

By spending a few moments reviewing these items, you can easily eliminate most, if not all, of these most commonly discovered Fire Code Violations. The goal of the Life Safety Division is to work cooperatively with our partners in the community, to achieve Fire Code compliance through education, and not issuance of violations. Should you have any questions regarding the above, please send us an email to prevention@fmbfire.org and we will be happy to assist you with any concerns.

Fire Watch

Fire Watch is required whenever a Fire Protection System(s) is out of service more than (4) hours in a twenty-four hour period. Additionally, Fire Watch may be ordered when a system is deemed unreliable by the Fire Department due to more than (3) false alarms in a twenty-four hour period. Finally, Fire Watch may be ordered at after a fire that has affected a buildings 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@FMBFIRE.ORG.

Special Events

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

Special Event Applications can be requested from and submitted to the Fire Prevention Bureau via email, fax, or in person at Fire Department Administration.

EMAIL: PREVENTION@FMBFIRE.ORG

FAX: (239) 432-1554

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 expected prior to application release.

KNOX Ordering

The Fire District has a long standing partnership with the KNOX Company for providing safe, secure, Fire Department access into buildings after hours. Ordering of these devices can be accomplished by the client directly at www.KNOXbox.com

Location for installation of these devices should be located to the Left of the Main Entrance to the Structure no lower than 4ft from the ground, and no higher than 6ft off the ground. Once installation is complete.

Keys that are routinely needed

As a rule of thumb, any door that you do not want damaged, many times small emergencies can be the most costly when the Fire Service needs to force entry through a door. Recommendations for all structures is that the Fire District be provided the following Keys:

Master Key to all Units
Front Door Key
Elevator Control Key
Fire Alarm Control Room Key/Key to Alarm Panel
Keys to all Mechanical, Electrical, and Storage areas
Roof top door
Any Keys to areas that are routinely secured

All keys should be clearly labeled and for larger structures and hotels a minimum of (6) sets of keys should be provided.

Existing Knox Box Installations:

These devices with proper care and maintenance can be expected to last up to (30) years. However, the environment is extremely harsh and requires routine lubrication by property maintenance. To ensure adequate life span of these devices please routinely engage in manufacturers recommended maintenance of these devices.

When door or locks are changed, please remember to provide the Fire District a copy of these sets of keys to avoid any potential un-wanted damage should an emergency occur.

Fire Investigations

Fire Investigations are critical to prevention of fires, public education, and to inform the fire protection industry of risks yet to be identified in the market place.

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” by the Fire Marshal are routinely referred to the Florida State Fire Marshal Arson Investigators who will conduct Joint Investigations with the FMBFCD Fire Marshal.

The FMBFCD Fire Investigators are active members in 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 which 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 site 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. To request a Fire Investigation report please contact the Fort Myers Beach Fire Administration Office to request a copy of the Official Fire Investigation report.

Links to Florida State Fire Marshal Office

Community Risk Reduction and Preparedness

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 Men and Women of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department would like to encourage all visitors to 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.

For further information on Hotel/Motel Fire Safety please visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) at http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/property-type-and-vehicles/hotels-and-motels/hotel-fire-safety-tips

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 than many residents and visitors elect to spend their time in High-Rise/Condo’s that offer a spectacular view our Island Paradise. The National Fire Protection Association classifies a building 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 Never 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 pull the Fire Alarm on your way out
Know the location of your closest fire exit

Residents and Condominium Board members are highly encouraged to visit NFPA website at http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/property-type-and-vehicles/high-rise-buildings for further important information on how to keep your High-Rise/Condo community safe.

Car Seat Safety

Did you know that over 73% of Child Car Seats are installed incorrectly? This statistic is staggering and sobering considering the results can be truly tragic. The following recommendations can help keep your child health and safe while riding in a vehicle:

Ensure your Car Seat is appropriate for your child’s size and weight
Once installed a car seat should not move more than an inch from side to side
Perform the pinch test, make sure that once the harness is buckled you cannot pinch any extra webbing

The Fort Myers Beach Fire Department has specially trained technicians to provide members of our community with the essential aspects of installing child safety seats.

For further information on this topic, please visit Safe Kids Worldwide at https://www.safekids.org/car-seat

Public Education

Engaging our citizens and business community in becoming active partners with their Fire Department in Safety is essential to building a strong, safe, and resilient community. The Fort Myers Beach Fire Department 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 Department 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@fmbfire.org. 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 Department 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@FMBFIRE.ORG

Car Seat Installation

Over 73% of child car seats are installed incorrectly. This sobering statistic is why the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department 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@FMBFIRE.ORG

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