BLADENSBURG — Bladensburg Fire Department officials and the staff of East Knox Elementary were both surprised by the number of fire code violations the BFD found during a school fire inspection last week. An Ohio Division of State Fire Marshal inspector had inspected the school six months ago, documenting only one fire code violation; a malfunctioning fire alarm. Inspection reports provided by the SFM show the alarm was fixed when a follow-up inspection was done by the same inspector, Anthony Castelvetere, on May 7.
The Bladensburg inspection conducted by interim fire chief Nick Cockrell and Josh Lester, a state certified fire inspector, found dozens of violations which the school is now working on correcting.
“I was shocked by the amount of safety issues at the school,” Cockrell said. “I was especially concerned about the emergency lighting, which is essential so you can see to evacuate the building in an emergency situation.”
Cockrell said the school staff has been extremely receptive to the input of his department, and is already making changes. “They’re working on it and they’re showing progress,” the interim chief said this week.
East Knox Principal Steve Rose said the state inspector made no other safety suggestions during his inspection earlier this year. He said his staff told him Castelvetere did not inspect all of the classrooms.
“They didn’t correct us on any of these kinds of safety issues,” Rose said. “He introduced himself and went over the evacuation drills. That’s the only contact I had with him regarding maintenance.”
Cockrell said many of the violations regarding extension cords, ceiling tiles, hanging decorations, fire doors, fire extinguishers, deadbolt locks, flood lights, and combustibles, would not be familiar to educators who had never been properly instructed by a fire inspector.
“You can’t really hold the school liable because no one’s ever really told them,” Cockrell said. “There were dozens of issues that need addressed,” he said. “Had they [school administration] known, there wouldn’t be any issues. They’re all willing to fix it, they just haven’t had any guidance from the state inspector.”
The Division of State Fire Marshal issued a statement to the News about the discrepancy between the state inspection and the more recent inspection by BFD personnel.
“The SFM is in the process of requesting a copy of the Bladensburg school inspection report conducted by the local fire department,” the statement said. “The SFM will review the document internally to make sure that there are no inconsistencies and we will work with the local fire department to ensure the safety of their local schools.”
“After analyzing the report, the SFM inspectors will do a walk through of the school to ensure compliance with the Ohio Fire Code,” the SFM statement said.
Cockrell said he spoke with State Fire Marshal Michael Bell Thursday, who confirmed a representative of the SFM Code Enforcement Bureau will visit the Bladensburg school next week.
“If it’s something they need to see to make adjustments to their staff or their procedures I understand,” Cockrell said.
“But if they’re coming in here to use us as an example or prove a point, I don’t agree with that,” he continued. “Marshal Bell assures me that is not the reason.”
Rose said his staff found working with the Bladensburg personnel, benefited everyone. “They were definitely more thorough,” Rose said of the BFD. “They went through every room and looked at everything. They’re going to help us come into compliance with the code.”
“I was very impressed with the Bladensburg Fire Department; with the suggestions they made, and working with us,” Rose said.
Both Cockrell and Rose said the safety efforts at the school are a community responsibility, and the open dialogue between school and fire department staff will speed the process. “I think I could call them anytime,” Rose said of the fire department.
Rose said the BFD has been flexible about time allowances for some of the safety improvements. He does not know at this time what the final cost will be for the updates, but said many parts to bring equipment into compliance have already been ordered.
“There are a few issues where as long as they can give us a detailed plan, we’ll work on it. I can’t expect them to do all of this in 30 days,” Cockrell said.
Rose and Cockrell voiced concern about how the number of safety concerns could have gone unnoticed to the previous inspector. “I know they didn’t develop over the past six months,” Cockrell said of the lengthy violation list. “I can assure you they’ve been here more than the last five years,” Rose confirmed.
The 475 students at the school may notice many small changes to their school building in coming weeks which are designed to keep them safe. New flood lights and fire extinguishers, the removal of combustibles, and other updates are already in the works.
“Children’s safety is the number one priority for any school,” Rose said. “We want to bring everything up to code and create the safest environment for our kids.”
Cockrell said taking over the school fire inspection process from the state is important to his department. “I think it’s our job,” he said. “We take care of our community and it’s our job.”
The fire safety issue is personal to the fire chief and inspector as well. Cockrell and Lester are both parents of East Knox students. “His kids go to that school, and my son goes to that school,” Cockrell said. “I’m the T-ball coach,” he added. “This is a small community and I know a lot of these kids.”
“We’re a community and we’re all working for the same thing,” Rose said.
