Code of Vermont Rules › Agency 13 - AGENCY OF HUMAN SERVICES › Sub-Agency 130 - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS › Chapter 004 - FIRE SAFETY PREVENTION (312) › Section 13 130 004 - FIRE SAFETY PREVENTION (312)

Current through June, 2024
POLICY
SUBJECT AREA:
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/6/78
300-399 Facilities and Equipment
UNITS AFFECTED:
Department of Correction
INTRODUCTION
Attention to fire safety prevention procedures are
				  particularly crucial in correctional facilities. In many cases we are dealing
				  with persons who do not have free movement and are confined to a one cell area.
				  In addition, there is a recent body of both federal and state legislation which
				  mandates improved standards of life safety.
OBJECTIVE
To provide guidelines for administrators in implementing
				  specific procedures and methods for fire prevention and reaction in case of
				  fire.
GROUP SERVED
All staff at correctional facilities.
POLICY DESCRIPTION
Procedures: Each Superintendent shall develop, in
				  coordination with the local fire department serving the facility, the Buildings
				  Division, a Comprehensive Fire Prevention and Reaction Plan. This plan is to be
				  reviewed annually by the Superintendent, and must contain provisions for
				  necessary inspections and notification of proper agencies. A semi-annual review
				  is to be made of equipment. A copy shall be sent to the Director of Adult
				  Facilities. Any updates shall be filed with the Director. If no update is
				  required, a statement to that effect shall be sent to the Director of Adult
				  Facilities.
The procedures described in the plan shall include an
				  evacuation plan, location of keys, locations of fire fighting and protection
				  equipment, regular checking of emergency exits, fire drills, control of access
				  to potentially flammable materials, and regular testing and inspections of fire
				  protection equipment.
Training: Because of unique danger of fire and its
				  consequences in correctional facilities, all staff must be completely trained
				  with regard to plans and procedures in fire safety and proper use of fire
				  fighting equipment. Local fire departments should be utilized to provide
				  specific training wherever possible. All staff must be completely trained with
				  regard to the yearly updated plans and procedures in fire safety, and proper
				  use of fire fighting equipment. The Department Training Officer will assist the
				  facilities in coordination of training.
Equipment: The semi-annual review shall include a complete
				  inventory of fire prevention and fire fighting equipment. That essential
				  equipment which is missing or needs replacement shall be purchased.
Responsibility & Reporting: A specific individual in each
				  facility will be designated, in writing by the Superintendent, as responsible
				  for fire safety inspections, equipment and coordination of related training
				  safety inspections. This Fire Safety Officer shall undertake monthly monitoring
				  and reporting to the Superintendent on matters addressed in the Comprehensive
				  Prevention and Reaction Plan.
All incidents involving fire shall be reported to the
				  Superintendent. The Superintendent will report to the Director of Adult
				  Facilities any experiences in which fire equipment does not function properly
				  or where the Superintendent believes furnishings or other materials supplied to
				  residents constitute a fire hazard.
A copy of the monthly report of the facility Fire Safety
				  Officer will be included in the Superintendent's Monthly Progress Report to the
				  Director of Adult Facilities.
Reporting: All incidents involving fire should be reported to
				  the Director of Adult Facilities. Facility Superintendents will report any
				  negative experiences they have with any equipment or supply item which
				  constitutes as fire hazard to the Director of Adult Facilities. Furthermore,
				  all incidents should immediately be reported to local fire departments.
In addition, all fires should be reported within a reasonable
				  time to the Arson Squad of the Public Safety Department.
Discipline: Through the use of the Resident Guidebook, the
				  seriousness and potential danger of fire will be addressed. Residents will be
				  instructed verbally that the setting of fires or triggering false alarms, no
				  matter how minor are to be treated as major disciplinary infractions and that
				  strict disciplinary action will follow. Prosecution may result.
Coordination with Other Agencies: The Superintendent and the
				  Fire Safety Officer will coordinate with the local fire department serving the
				  facility. The assistance of the fire department will be requested in conducting
				  the annual review of the Comprehensive Fire Prevention and Reaction Plan. When
				  incidents of fire occur which are controlled by the facility staff, the action
				  taken by the facility staff to control minor fires will be reported to the fire
				  department within a reasonable time. Advice will be requested from the above
				  agencies on how to avoid repetition of the problem or improve response by the
				  Superintendent or Director of Adult Facilities.
The Superintendent and the Director of Adult Facilities will
				  coordinate with the Buildings Division to obtain annual VOSHA inspection of
				  each facility. In addition, each facility shall be inspected by the Fire
				  Prevention Division of Labor and Industry Department semi-annually. The
				  Buildings Division maintains the Correctional Facilities for the State of
				  Vermont. Such being the case, all procedures and plans in relation to fire
				  safety and prevention should be coordinated and filed with that Division. This
				  coordination shall be established and maintained by the Superintendent and the
				  Director of Adult Facilities.
Legal Reference
28
				  V.S.A. Sec. 601 (2, 3, 5, 7, 9)
Sec. 851
CFR28 Judicial Administration
Chapter 1 - Department of Justice
Parts 0 - 199
Parts 3 - Federal Prisons Industries
Department of Justice
Parts 300 - 399
Cornelius Hogan, Commissioner
Statutory Authority:
				  28
				  V.S.A. §§
											601,
				  851