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City names its first fire marshal
It seemed that Brian Reed always knew he would one day become a firefighter.
Looking back, he remembers the times that he would write little notes in his school book that discussed what he wanted to be when he grew up. Each time, he would always jot down that he wanted to be a firefighter and a paramedic.
Reed gained a lot of that interest early in his life. He remembers the evenings where he sat in front of the family's television and watched shows like "Emergency," which followed the lives of two paramedics in Los Angeles.
Those childhood dreams took root 20 years ago when Reed applied for a position on the Mountain Home Fire Department. It took nearly three years for a seat to open with the all-volunteer department, but he admits it was well worth the wait.
"I really enjoy what I do. For me, it's not a job," Reed said.
In recent weeks, his role as a firefighter took a significant leap forward after he was appointed the city's first fire marshal. According to city fire chief Alan Bermensolo, the new designation recognizes Reed's years of experience and training.
Those duties cover a variety of safety issues from ensuring a restaurant isn't overloading electrical wall outlets to ensuring the blueprints for a proposed building includes a minimum number of alarm and sprinkler systems.
Being a fire marshal "is more about code enforcement and public safety type issues," Reed said.
When Bermensolo looked at the roles and functions of Reed's job, he recognized he was performing a lot of functions -- code enforcement, planned inspections, fire education and prevention.
"That fell under the job description of a fire marshal," Bermensolo said.
While other officers and firefighters in the department are familiar with these fire safety and enforcement codes, Reed has the in-depth knowledge and certifications needed to identity code violations and enforce those standards.
The city fire chief knew that Reed's duties at the station, which he had done for a number of years, went beyond his firefighter designation. Taking inputs from the state fire marshal's office, Bermensolo worked up a job description that included those additional responsibilities.
City officials agreed that a promotion of sorts was in order.
"The city recognized the value of having a fire marshal as part of the fire department," Bermensolo said.
As the Mountain Home community continues to grow, the station remains focused on ensuring industries, businesses and shops comply with international fire codes and National Fire Protection Association guidelines, Bermensolo said.
"Having a fire marshal in the department who has a specific set of responsibilities... adds a little more horsepower to that goal," he added.
Through a greater focus on code enforcement, fire prevention and education, the goal is to identify and prevent potential fires before they happen, according to the fire chief.
"If you educate folks, you generate more fire prevention," Bermensolo said. "You accomplish the mission of protecting lives and property without having to put a fire out."
But to ensure the department has the "teeth" necessary to enforce those standards, it requires having someone with a specific focus on those rules and regulations.
While Reed's initial code enforcement training began with a 20-hour class, it barely scratched the surface on what he was required to know. Just to maintain his certification, he's tested each year on these federal and international safety standards.
To remain proficient in his duties, he's also required to attend various classes and training seminars hosted by the National Fire Academy, the Central Idaho Fire Academy as well as the Boise Safety Symposium and other state-sponsored safety programs.
"It's a continual process," Reed said.
However, those duties take a backseat each time the call goes out for help to fight a fire or to rescue people. But once the fire is extinguished or the emergency ends, Reed than switches back to his role as a fire marshal where his investigative role begins.
After 17 years with city fire department, the community's new fire marshal shows no signs of slowing down. He enjoys the brotherhood he shares with the other 31 firefighters in the department. He also enjoys meeting with children in the community and sharing his message of fire prevention and safety.
"Our mission is the preservation of life and property," Reed said. "As the fire marshal, I take that to heart."