EDITORIAL: Fire inspections another step to saving money and structures

Jan. 28--Think of the Yakima Fire Department, and one generally envisions a fire truck screaming down the boulevard with sirens blaring. Local residents count on firefighters to answer a call when flames erupt and put lives and property at risk.

But fire's destruction can create loss even when lives are saved, and prevention trumps the cure. To that end, the city has stepped up its inspections of hundreds of businesses and multi-tenant buildings throughout a city that hasn't always been assiduous about enforcement in a number of areas, including fire codes.

Actually, fire inspections stopped altogether in 2011 when budget pressures prompted city officials to eliminate a fire inspector, who was then reassigned to code enforcement. The city fire department took up the task after taking over firefighting and fire code inspections for Union Gap a year ago.

Now three fire inspectors are on board for a program with a $259,000 annual budget; Union Gap pays for one-half of an inspector. Firefighters themselves can report problems that they see in the process of acquainting themselves with business owners, which is a common practice.

This may not sit well in a city where many folks are accustomed to being left alone, and fire officials recognize that ethos. They note that education is a prime function over castigation, and that simple, inexpensive fixes such as replacing an alarm battery or putting the right cover on an electrical outlet can save a structure from a catastrophic blaze.

The program also stands to save money in the long run, and not just in the prevention of a fire. The city hopes restoration of the inspection program eventually will lead to an improvement in the city's fire-preparedness rating, which would lower insurance rates for businesses and residents.

Yakima recently has taken long-overdue steps to address building-code violations and to tear down unsafe buildings -- steps that enhance both safety and quality of life of city residents. This fire-prevention program accomplishes the same goal and can realize long-term economic savings. It is an overdue and welcome step forward.

--Members of the Yakima Herald-Republic editorial board are Sharon J. Prill, Bob Crider, Frank Purdy and Karen Troianello.

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