By John Ghirardini
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Copyright 2006 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Disorganization, short staffing and a lack of oversight in the Gwinnett fire marshal’s office contributed to inadequate school safety inspections, a report released Thursday concludes.
In February, the county acknowledged that as many as 30 private and public county schools had not been inspected each year, which is the county’s policy.
More than a dozen schools hadn’t been inspected since 2000.
The revelation cost the job of former Fire Chief Jack McElfish, who was forced to resign. Former Fire Marshal Tim Eckenwiler and one of his supervisors also resigned, and a fire inspector was allowed to retire. The problems also led officials to seek an outside agency to report on problems within the marshal’s office.
On Wednesday, McElfish accepted a position as fire chief of the new city of Sandy Springs, where he will start July 31.
McElfish said the county administrator had held him accountable for problems with school inspections in Gwinnett and recommended that he resign.
The fire department released its final audit of the marshal’s office at a news conference Thursday afternoon. The $60,000 study was done by South Carolina-based Hammett Consulting.
The company closely observed the office’s operations for two months and provided 59 recommendations on issues including quality assurance, communications, technological upgrades and adding personnel.
County and fire department officials said they’re taking the study to heart.
According to fire officials, 24 of the recommendations have been implemented, 30 are in progress and five are longer range.
Some are relatively simple. Fire Chief Steve Rolader, who replaced McElfish, said he already has addressed one recommendation — making more regular visits to the fire marshal’s office.
“We looked at the fire marshal’s office from top to bottom,” County Administrator Jock Connell said. “We got a good look at its strengths and its weaknesses. We needed to make sure we left no stone unturned.”
Rolader said the county is giving him full backing in implementing the recommendations, though Connell said some might have to be spread into the 2007 budget.
One of the key recommendations is for an assistant fire marshal to help in the day-to-day running of the office.
Connell said the recruitment process has begun and officials hope to have the position filled this year.
Fire Marshal Ed Knopick, a 25-year veteran of the department, said his office will ensure that inspection oversights in the schools won’t happen again.
The marshal’s office has established an annual inspection system, and Rolader said schools will have a policy in writing.
State law mandates inspections of schools but does not specify how often they should be carried out.
“I’m personally committed to be self-critical and evaluative in the days ahead,” Rolader said.
The marshal’s office also is compiling hundreds of policies and procedures that have evolved over years into a written standard procedure.
Among the other key recommendations:
* Institute a quality assurance review program.
* Develop a structured training program for new employees and enhance ongoing programs.
* Establish an information technology support position and address other technology needs.
* Develop a list of all high-risk structures in the county.