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Sisters, Oregon
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Fire department launches inspections program
By Jim Cornelius

The Sisters fire department is having trouble keeping up with fire inspections as Sisters grows. So the department has launched a new self-inspection program that will allow some businesses to check their own fire safety.

"We only have so many people and we're getting behind on inspections and reports," said firefighter David Wheeler, who handles inspections for the department. "We just can't get to every business in town."

The self-inspection program will only apply to retailers and other businesses that have very simple requirements. Wheeler will still inspect commercial buildings, industrial sites, gas stations and lumber and hardware stores.

Local businesses will be provided a checklist to go by in determining their fire safety. The checklist includes items such as location of fire hydrants; condition of electrical cords; clear aisles; clear areas around furnaces.

Businesses that conduct self-inspections must send a reply card certifying that they have conducted their inspection and they will still be checked up on once every three years.

Wheeler said that the City of Bend has been using a self-inspection program with some success.

Wheeler noted that the fire department is selling "Knox Boxes" to businesses interested in making keys available to fire personnel at night.

The secure metal boxes are installed on a building with the entry keys left inside. The fire department keeps the key to the box. Then, if there is an off-hours alarm, firefighters don't have to wait for a business owner to arrive to let them in -- or break in a window or a door to get into the building.

Sisters Community Church has installed one, Wheeler noted.

The boxes are available only through Fire Chief Don Rowe. For information about inspections or about the Knox Box, call 549-0771.

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