Other U.S. cities face shortage of inspectors

Colorado Springs isn't alone in wanting more fire inspectors.

Albuquerque has 16, two more than Colorado Springs, but hopes to add two soon.

Oakland, Calif., relies on 17, six of whom deal with vegetation management in wildland prone to fire.

Omaha has eight, and Wichita, Kan., just three.

Most say they're understaffed.

"For the size of city, we could use more inspectors," said Oakland's Assistant Fire Marshal Gary Collins.

He said the department recently turned to engine companies to conduct cursory inspections because full-time inspectors can't get to all businesses every year.

Lt. Skip Navarrette in Albuquerque said not many businesses slip through the cracks, because the department monitors the city's business-license database.

"We have computer access and bring it up and see all the businesses that apply, and we send inspectors out that way," Navarrette said.

Omaha has fewer inspectors today than five years ago but recently annexed a suburb that covers 30 square miles, acting Assistant Fire Marshal Ed Karbowski said.

He said the force will expand to 12 inspectors this year. "We probably could use a 100 percent increase," he said. "We're not as proactive as we could be if we had more staffing."

His crew identifies buildings that change uses through certificates of occupancy issued by the building-code department. Also, the Fire Department bills businesses annually for inspections, ranging from $50 to $75.

Wichita's firefighters learn of new building uses that require inspections from the Office of Central Inspection in the building department, said Fire Marshal Ed Bricknell.

His three inspectors don't oversee new construction, he said, acknowledging they don't catch everything that needs to be evaluated.

"If somebody does a modification on a building and does not apply for a building permit, we wouldn't know what they're doing, and that building would not be inspected," he said.

St. Louis has nine inspectors whose work is supplemented by the city's building division. The department also accepts inspections conducted by third parties paid by businesses, Deputy Fire Marshal Baron Ross said.

Denver has 32 inspectors who handle special buildings such as hospitals, schools and high rises and flammable hazards. Fire station crews inspect other businesses, such as restaurants.