Title
Resolution Approving Memorandum of Understanding and Addendum Authorizing the Guilford County Fire Marshal’s Office to Complete Fire Plan Reviews and Fire Certificate of Compliance Inspections for Guilford County Schools Inside the Greensboro City Limits
Body
Department: Fire
Council District: All
Public Hearing: No.
Advertising Date/By: Not Applicable
Contact 1 and Phone: C.W. Whitworth, Interim Fire Marshal, (336) 373-2032
Contact 2 and Phone: Bobby Nugent, Fire Chief, (336) 373-2297
PURPOSE: City Council approval is requested to authorize the City of Greensboro’s Fire Chief and Engineering & Inspection Director to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Guilford County Emergency Services and the Guilford County School Superintendent for the Guilford County Fire Marshal’s Office to conduct Plan Reviews and Certificate of Compliance Inspections in Guilford County public schools located inside the Greensboro city limits from October 15, 2001 until terminated in accordance with the law. Further City Council approval is requested for the amendment to the 2001 MOU.
BACKGROUND: All public school facilities must have fire inspections conducted a minimum of twice a year pursuant to North Carolina General Statute’s 115C-525(b). The mandated public school fire inspections may be conducted by the City’s Fire Department or it can contract for these inspections. The City of Greensboro’s Fire Chief and Engineering & Inspection Director entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Director of Guilford County Emergency Services and the Guilford County School Superintendent in October 2001. The aforementioned MOU authorized the Guilford County Fire Marshal’s Office to be responsible for plan reviews and certificate of compliance inspections and all monies for said services be paid to Guilford County on or after October 15, 2001. An Addendum to the October 2001 MOU was negotiated in August 2016 with the following terms:
“The Guilford County Fire Marshal’s Office, including inspectors, shall have access to inspect any and all buildings and other property leased, owned, or otherwise occupied by employees, staff, administrators or students of Guilford County Schools, and any other publicly funded schools in Guilford County which receive funding through federal, state or local sources, including, but not limited to any charter schools located in Guilford County.” All other provisions of the MOU remain in effect without change. In light of the fact that the MOU is an interlocal agreement City Council approval is required.
BUDGET IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED: The Greensboro Fire Department request the City Council to authorize the Memorandum of Understanding and Addendum allowing the Guilford County Fire Marshal’s Office to perform mandated fire inspections of Guilford County public schools located inside the Greensboro city limits.