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Most people automatically think fire truck when they think of a fire department. While it is often the most obvious function, responding to fires is not the complete description of the Lansing Fire Department. A prominent "behind the scenes" function at LFD is the Fire Prevention Division. While not complete, that title captures the intent of this division. The major functions are broken down below.
Inspection
 All division staff (inspectors) are certified Fire Inspectors. This aspect of fire prevention is most important. It has been said that the safest fire is one that never happens. Inspections cover a wide variety of occupancies. They can vary from a store front downtown, to a factory such as General Motors. It also includes extremely hazardous sites (known as EHS sites) within the city. The focus of an inspection is to identify and correct problems that may lead to a fire, delay notification of a fire, and to remove any obstacles that may impede or block egress from a building. Examples of these may include combustibles stored near the furnace or water heater. An alarm system or sprinkler system that has not been maintained or storage in an exit way.
Investigation
Each inspector is trained to investigate fires and to determine it's cause and origin. Sometimes this is not possible due to the amount of damage caused by the fire. That said, Lansing Fire has a solve rate above the national average and a high conviction rate for those accused of arson.
Education
 The fire prevention division is active in public education. The division offers programs for seniors, local civic groups and any organization that request one. One of our goals is to reach the youth of the city and create a well informed generation. Each year the Fire Prevention Division works with the Fire Suppression crews to insure that each elementary school in Lansing is provided with a prevention course. Each student meets the firefighters, learns life saving techniques and receives literature to take home.
Remember : Fire Prevention saves lives!
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