With checklist in hand, Fresno Fire Department inspector Curt Waller scrutinizes everything having to do with fire safety during a routine inspection at Fresno Christian, Jan. 13.

Waller, who has worked with the fire department for six years, makes a living by checking schools and businesses and approving them for public use. Waller says the department is highly concerned with safety, so he has to check every minute detail before he can approve a building or site.

“Our biggest concern is that we double-check the fire sprinkler systems, the fire extinguishers, the exit signs, and we look for anything that may be a fire hazard like exposed electrical wire,” Waller said. “We [the fire department] check the paperwork and make sure they [buildings/sites] have checked their fire alarms and have made sure that they’re working. Our biggest thing is safety in general.”

For more information on safety, read the Nov. 11, 2003 article, Hazards, liability issues concern school officials.