Meet Prevention Officer Brett Deakin

Tell us what you do as a Prevention Officer.

My role as a Fire Prevention Officer is to enforce fire code. I do this through routine, special, and new construction inspections. Through these inspections we can educate the business owners and help them provide a safe experience for all the users of their spaces. We also assist with special events throughout the city to ensure that they are providing a safe experience for everybody involved.

What are you most grateful for in your career?          

I am grateful to work for a department that fully supports fire prevention and trusts us to do our job well.   

What skills or experiences helped prepare you for this role?  

Communication skills are key. I've been able to acquire a wide range of communication skills through different positions that I have held.  This job is really about helping educate the people we serve and having good communication skills makes it much easier to do that.  

What does a normal shift look like for you?      

I typically start my day in the office completing data entry, replying to emails, etc. Then, I head to the field where I complete routine inspections, re-inspections, and help test fire safety equipment.  

What keeps you passionate about the fire service?      

I believe people deserve to feel safe when they are out and about it our community. Knowing that I am helping provide fire-safe spaces for everybody, from employees and customers to apartment tenants, keeps me passionate about my job.  

What types of buildings or occupancies do you inspect most often?   

My territory allows me to see a little bit of everything. I inspect everything from high rises downtown to big box stores and large warehouses.   

Can you share a success story where prevention made a big difference?   

It can be hard to measure success when it comes to fire prevention. Sprinkler saves are one area where we measure success. There are several sprinkler saves throughout Madison every year.