South Bend Fire Prevention & Community Risk Reduction (CRR)

Inspection

Inspections are a means to identify and eliminate unsafe conditions or practices that may contribute to loss of life or property. Fire inspections are conducted to aid businesses or building owners in meeting code requirements in which our inspectors enforce with the intent to “prevent” incidents from happening. Code enforcement is a proactive and cost-effective approach to community risk reduction.

Inspections are also conducted to ensure that fire protection systems such as fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and kitchen hood systems are inspected, tested, and maintained according to code requirements.

Other duties of our fire inspectors include inspections for city business licenses’, building plans-review, final inspections of new buildings, fire drills, construction site visits, food truck/trailer inspection, and fireworks display approvals.

Indiana Fire Code

Pre-Fire Inspection Form (Self-Inspection)

If you own a business, commercial building, or apartment building, the South Bend Fire Department would encourage you to use the form above to conduct your own pre-fire inspection prior to our inspectors’ on-site visit.

Fire Watch Form

Any building that has been informed to be on “Fire Watch,” please use the form above to document your daily report.

Contact & Building Information Form

Do you own a business, commercial building, or apartment building? Do you need to update your contact or building information? Use the form above to update your information.

Variance Applications

***All variance applications submitted to the state shall include the following email in relation to the fire department official: derquhart@southbendin.gov

Investigation

Fire investigations are completed on all structure fires that occur in the city of South Bend. The intent is to protect lives and property by investigating and determining the fire’s origin and cause. In doing so, statistics and trends can then be used for the purpose of developing programs to reduce the risk of fire in the future.

Our investigators work closely with the South Bend Police Dept. and State Fire Marshals Office when needed. Investigations may include but are not limited to interviewing witnesses, evidence collection, scene documentation, and appearing in court.

Public Education/Community Outreach

The South Bend Fire Department’s Public Education Program is responsible for engaging in the community to spread the message of fire & life safety to all ages. Our goal is to take a proactive approach to educate the public on fire safety in order to protect their family, home, or business. This program is led by our public education coordinator and the help of our shift educators.

Smoke & CO Alarm Request Form

Did you know you can request to receive free smoke & CO alarms for your home. Please use the form above to provide your information and you will be contacted by the FD to set schedule a date and time for your instillation.

Fire Safety Presentation or Community Event Request Form

The following list are some of the programs that we offer:

• Fire Safety Presentations
• Fire Safety House Program
• Fire Extinguisher Training
• Station Tours
• Fire Truck Visit
• Table Set-up with Safety Handouts