The spring semester was a little more relaxed for the Morgantown Fire Department. With the institution of a new citation power, street fires decreased considerably, according to Capt. Dave Bean.
“Since Jan. 1, we’ve had 12,” Bean said. “We could’ve had that many in one weekend last year.”
From August 1999 to December 1999, the fire department responded to 41 street and garbage fire calls, Bean said.
Nine officers within the department have the ability to write citations, which began in October 2000, Fire Department Chief David Fetty said. The officers are allowed to cite any action that violates national or state fire code, and the top four fire officers’ citation powers extend throughout the state. The other five officers have city jurisdiction.
Bean said that when a person is cited he or she has 21 days to appear in magistrate court. The offender goes before the judge and both the offender and the citing officer testify. The fine, according to Bean, may range from $75 to $200.
“Everyone that we have cited has been fined,” Bean said. “About 99 percent of the fines have been $200.”
Bean attributes the fire department’s success to the cooperation of West Virginia University. Fire fighters in the station, Bean said, are happy about the decreased street fire calls.
“I feel good about this,” Bean said. “Our people feel good. We’re not running all over hell’s half-acre putting out fires.”
Bean added that there was only one fire reported during SpringFest weekend.