R01-266RESOLUTION RO 1- ,~/,,(~
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLOPdI)A,
SUPPORTING FIP, E SAFETY LEGISLATION
AUTHORIZING LOCAL FIRE MARSHALS AND FIRE
DEPARTMENTS TO ENFORCE APPLICABLE FIRE
SAFETY CODES AND REGULATONS AT PUBLIC
SCHOOL FACILITIES; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WltEREAS, presem state law mandates that local jurisdictions perform fire safety
inspections at public school facilities, but allows fire inspectors and fire marshals to merely
make recommendations or file reports in the event that applicable fire code violations and/or
safety hazards are discovered; and
WHEREAS, Florida law currently precludes local fire inspectors or fire marshals
from taking enforcement action with regard to uncorrected £nce safety code violations at
public schools; and
WltEREAS, School Boards in Florida have exercised sole and exclusion authority
over compliance with safety codes at public school facilities for many years; and
WHEREAS, many public school facilities throughout the State of Florida were
allowed to fall into severe conditions of disrepan', and at literally hundreds of public school
facilities, applicable fire safety code violations and hazardous conditions were ignored year
after year despite school authorities' knowledge of the conditions and of the need for
corrective action; and
WHEREAS, the present state system of laws and regulations pertaining to fire safety
at public school facilities has failed to provide for an adequate level of safety, accountability,
or credibility pertaining to the crucial issue of protecting lives and property at such facilities;
and
WltEREAS, fire marslmls and fire inspectors have authority to requke comphance
Mth and enforce the provisions of applicable fire safety codes in all buildings and m all
tcilities with the exception of public school facilities which house children, teachers and
staff; such facilities are occupied by h~valuabte lives and publicly owned property that should
be properly protected against risk of needless tragedy, loss and disaster~
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That the municipality of Boynton Beach, by and through its City
Commisson, formally endorses proposed fire safety reform legislation to be considered by the
Florida Legislature in 2002 that would enable and authorize local fire marshals and fire
inspectors to enforce compliance with applicable fire safety codes at public school facilities.
Section 2. That the City Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this
Resolution upon passage to all members of the Florida Legislature and the Governor of
Florida, urging them to enact amendments to state law that would provide for safety and
accountability at all public school facilities.
Section 3. That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this t4 day of October. 2001.
CITY OF~BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Vice Mayor
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
ATTEST:
Clerk