Harris County Fire Marshal's Office Honored for Exemplary Fire Safety Standards
The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, the largest county Fire Marshal in Texas, has recently been honored by the Texas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (TLEAP). As the first Fire Marshal's Office in the State of Texas to receive this accreditation, the accolade spotlights the agency's commitment to maintaining top-tier public safety standards within a jurisdiction covering approximately 750 square miles of unincorporated Harris County.
TLEAP, a forward-thinking accreditation program, empowers law enforcement agencies to self-evaluate and augment their performance. The Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, one of 2,776 law enforcement agencies in Texas, embodies this ethos by consistently enforcing the Fire Code with the primary goal of preventing fires and minimizing property loss or life loss during fire incidents.
The recognition by TLEAP underscores the diligent efforts of the Fire Marshal's Office to reduce fire risks and their impact on the community. This is manifested in the broad range of services provided, from emergency operations and investigations to public outreach. In a single year, from 2022 to 2023, the Fire Marshal's Office saw an impressive 27.86% increase in services delivered to the public from 36,325 to 46,445.
The Office's Emergency Operations Division, which houses the Harris County Hazardous Materials Response Team (HCHMRT), is integral to effective planning, mitigation, and recovery from emergencies and disasters. Meanwhile, the Investigations Division spearheads the task of identifying the origin and cause of fires and explosions, collecting evidence, and filing criminal charges when necessary.
On the preventative front, the Fire Marshal's Office conducted more than 21,000 prevention services in 2023 alone, including building inspections and managing firework-related businesses and complaints. It also conducted more than 4,000 investigations and consultations.
While handling these response and prevention tasks, the Office maintains its commitment to community education. Their Outreach Section coordinates public education campaigns and a Youth Fire-setter Intervention Program, working proactively with the youth of Harris County to promote fire and life safety.
"Receiving this recognition from TLEAP validates our commitment to serving Harris County with the highest fire safety standards," a representative from the Fire Marshal's Office shared.
Demonstrating exceptional dedication, professionalism, and adherence to the highest fire safety norms, the Fire Marshal's Office and its team persist in their efforts to ensure community safety. To learn more about the Harris County Fire Marshal, visit hcfmo.net.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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