As its name suggests, the six-person unit aims to prevent fires. The Campus Fire Marshal, four Deputy Fire Marshals, and an administrative assistant keep busy inspecting campus buildings, acting as a liaison to other jurisdictions, and educating and advising the campus community on fire codes, fire prevention techniques, and emergency procedures. An important part of the FPD's responsibilities is training and education. Staff also provide fire extinguisher training to any department on request at no charge.
Staff also attend building or department safety meetings to discuss code compliance and regulations.
When fires do break out, they help the Berkeley Fire Department investigate the causes. The State Fire Marshal's office recently gave the Division the authority to perform plan reviews and construction field inspections for new projects as part of a two-year pilot program. The change will undoubtedly save campus construction projects both time and money. Rather than waiting several weeks for the regional State Fire Marshal's office in San Leandro to look at plans for UC projects, the FPD can review plans in a matter of days. Not only will turnaround time decrease, but Division staff reviewing the projects will be more familiar with the campus, its terrain, its buildings, and other construction than state officials would be.