Item:
Title
Presentation from the Office of Emergency Services - Fire Marshal on Blasting for Construction (30min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: November 4, 2024
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to receive a presentation from the Office of Emergency Services - Fire Marshal on the issue of blasting in Durham County.
The purpose of this presentation is to update the Board regarding the efforts of OES - Fire Marshal to more closely align the County’s blasting permit application process with the City of Durham’s process and on community awareness of blasting in the county. Blasting is used for the mass removal of dirt and rock during construction of single family, commercial, roadways, retention ponds, and utilities. The blasting contractor must obtain a permit from the OES - Fire Marshal to do the work. A blasting permit is issued by the OES - Fire Marshal on average of once a month and is now valid for 30 days (previously it was for 90 days). In aligning the County practice with the City of Durham’s and the reduction to 30 days, we anticipate up to a 50% increase in permits issued.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: This presentation is in alignment with our Safe and Resilient Community focus area.
Resource Persons: Tyler Fitts, Interim Chief Fire Marshal, Office of Emergency Services and Mark Lockhart, NRP, Director, Office of Emergency Services.
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager recommends that the Board receive this presentation from the Office of Emergency Services.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________