Opportunity #5: Prevention Programs

Opportunity #5: Prevention Programs

Recommendation 5.1: Develop a targeted community risk program for the residents in the high-risk age groups of over 65 years of age and under 5 years of age.

Southington’s population over 65 years of age makes up 21.1% of the population. Those reaching senior status in Southington are slightly above the national average of 16.5%. Coupled with the senior population to make up those most at risk are the 5% who are under five years of age. These two age groups (26.1% combined) are statistically more reliant on the emergency services offered by Southington Fire Department. Understanding these types of data assists in developing targeted safety campaigns and hazard reduction efforts.

Recommendation 5.2: Create a targeted Community Risk Reduction Program for people with disabilities.

Fires in the home can be potentially dangerous and deadly for everyone, but persons with disabilities and impairments face additional challenges. Persons with disabilities often have a difficult time identifying or escaping a fire. In 2018, 6% of citizens under 65 years of age in the Town of Southington were reported to have a disability. Overall, 3,932 households identified as having one member with a disability. These citizens in the community would benefit from programs to assist in their needs during times of emergency and for emergency planning efforts.

Recommendation 5.3: Develop a targeted smoke detector program for residential dwellings that are ten or more years old.

Reducing fire fatalities and injuries in the home should be the main goal of any fire prevention program. Statistics show that smoke alarms improve human survivability in residential fires by at least 50%. NFPA’s best practice for smoke alarm replacement is 10 years from the date of manufacture. In addition, emphasis should be given to homes that were built when there were fewer life safety code requirements for smoke alarms, electrical receptacles, and electrical panels. Incorporating a smoke alarm installation program with a home fire safety inspection by targeting homes which are 10 years or older can substantially reduce risk from fire and fire-related hazards.

Figure 138. Age of Home Distribution in Southington

Housing Age Distribution

11.1% 12.2%

33.2%

43.5%

2000 or Newer 1970 - 1999 1940 - 1969 1939 or Older

Fire suppression systems (fire sprinklers) are proven life-saving devices, with more than 125 years of empirical data serving to document their effectiveness. In the United States, however, fire sprinkler systems remain elusive in residential properties, especially in one-and two-family dwellings. Informational campaigns for historical house renovation and for new construction certainly help to curtail this elusiveness.

A 2008 study prepared for the Centers for Disease Control27 of lithium battery-powered smoke alarms installed in 1998–2001 in five states investigated whether these alarms were present and operational eight to ten years later. This study found that at least one of the installed alarms was still present and functional in only 38 percent of the homes visited. Slightly more than one-third (37%) of the installed alarms had been removed, one-third (33%) were present and operational, and slightly less than one-third (30%) were present but not operational.

Recommendation 5.4: Review the plans review fee schedule as a potential course of increased revenue.

ESCI conducted a review of six municipalities local to Southington. These communities were East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, New Britain, and South Windsor. All five communities charge for plans reviews on a sliding scale based on the cost of the project.

Municipality

East Hartford

Hartford

Manchester

Meriden

New Britain

South Windsor Figure 139. Comparison of Municipal Plans Reviews Fees Plans Reviews Fees

$40.00 for up to $1,000 $20.00 for each additional $1,000 $50.26 for up to $1,000 $30.26 for each additional $1,000 $20.00 for up to $4,000 $20.00 plus $7.00 per $1,000 in excess of $4,000 65% of the Building Permit Fee or 100% for ‘fast track’ Code Consulting: $150.00 per hour $0 through $1,000: $0.00 per $1,000 $1,001.00 through $50,00: $2.50 per $1,000 In excess of $50,000: $5.00 per $1,000 $60.00 for up to $2,000 $18.00 for each additional $1,000

The complete fee schedules for each of the aforementioned communities are included in this report as Appendix D: Plan Review Fee Schedule.

27 Evaluation of the “10-Year” Smoke Alarm Project (nchharchive.org)

It is ESCI’s experience that charging for plans reviews based on the cost of the project is very much an industry accepted practice. The East Hartford Fire Chief reported that annual revenue for plans reviews as a result of this effort net between $500,000 and $700,000.