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Office: (863) 519-7363
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Chief Hayes has been with Polk County Fire Rescue, in the Fire Marshals position, for the past 15 years. Prior to that, he worked for the Winter Haven Fire Department for nearly 14 years as a fire inspector, fire investigator, and fire fighter.
Wes is active in fire code development. He sits on technical committees for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 58 – Compressed Liquefied Gases and NFPA 101, Assembly Occupancies), NFPA 5000 (Building Code) and NFPA 102 (Grandstands Tents and Membrane Structures). Wes is the President of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA) and travels to the capital for legislative issues, as well sits as the Chairman for the Florida Fire Code Development Committee for the FFMIA. He was voted Florida Fire Marshal of the Year for 2005.
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The Polk County Fire Rescue's Fire Marshal Section has 11 positions: Fire Marshal, 2 Supervisors (Captains), 1 plans reviewer and 7 fire inspectors. All of the Fire Inspectors are members of the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association.
The Fire Marshal’s Section is responsible for all new commercial construction. This includes plans review and inspections for fire codes (as the structure is being constructed). The fire inspectors check for contractor licensing of those installing fire alarms, fire sprinklers and making sure the work the contractors are completing is fire code compliant. When the structure is complete and is code compliant a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The Fire Marshal’s office is located at the Bartow Air Base and can be reached at 863 519-7363.
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Fire Code enforcement is done throughout the year on existing commercial occupancies. The Florida Fire Prevention Code (National Fire Protection Association pamphlet 101), NFPA 1 and all referenced codes within those documents are used as the required standard, per Florida State Statute. The web site for the National Fire Protection Association is www.nfpa.org |
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Florida State Statute adopts Florida Administrative Code 69A-58 requiring school inspections on an annual basis. The web site of the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office can be found at: (http://www.fldfs.com/SFM/pdf/FAC_69A-58_03_1118.pdf) At this time, there are 47 public schools in un-incorporated Polk County. Along with the public schools, private and charter schools, days cares and assisted living facilities are to be inspected annually.
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Proposed subdivisions are to have an all weather driving surface, able to withstand the weight of fire apparatus and provide access to all buildings being constructed. Underground fire mains and fire hydrants are to be installed and operational, with the proper fire flow, prior to any construction. If there are no public utilities available in an area proposed for a subdivision, then other means of fire extinguishment must be met.
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