The Paducah Fire Prevention Division is enhancing its efforts to strengthen regional fire safety and code enforcement standards through communication and education initiatives. Through its Code Explanation Initiative emails launched this week and the continued participation and growth of the Regional Code Workshops, the division has enhanced the understanding of building and fire codes and code enforcement procedures among contractors, engineers, and neighboring municipalities.
“I applaud the Fire Prevention Division’s proactive approach to collaboration and education,” said Mayor George Bray. “The Division has set a new standard for transparency and outreach to code enforcement in all aspects. By sharing knowledge and inviting regional cities to participate in workshops, we’re comparing best practices with others, improving overall safety in Paducah, and fostering stronger partnerships across West Kentucky.”
The Regional Code Workshops, initiated by the Paducah Fire Prevention Division in 2014 and hosted quarterly in Paducah and neighboring cities, invite building officials, contractors, and engineers to discuss updates to fire and building codes, share best practices, and collaborate on regional safety goals. The Code Explanation Initiative complements these sessions by providing regular email updates that break down code changes and interpretations and offer practical guidance.
Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention Greg Cherry emphasized the importance of communication in maintaining safety and compliance and in helping contractors move their projects forward. “We all have the same goal of seeing our communities grow and thrive,” said Deputy Chief Cherry. “By working with our regional partners, the Regional Code Meetings help us build safer communities and ensure we are consistently applying code regulations. Our new initiative, the Code Explanation Initiative, allows us to clarify complex regulations before they become issues in the field. It’s about prevention through education.”
Fire Prevention distributed the first Code Explanation email this week focusing on when a permit is needed regarding interior walls and on electrical connections and disconnections.
Professional Engineer Kelly B. Gardner with Gardner Engineering & Consulting PLLC received the Code Explanation Initiative email this week and has worked with Paducah’s Fire Prevention Division on numerous projects.
“As a licensed professional engineer who works with code officials and fire prevention departments across the Southeast U.S., I’m impressed with what the Paducah Fire Prevention Division is doing with their Code Explanation Initiative,” said Gardner. “This level of communication and outreach to the design and construction community is a great service.”
Also this week, the City of Paducah hosted the Regional Code Workshop which was held at CFSB on Paducah’s Southside. More than 30 code enforcement and building officials from neighboring communities attended the workshop. Presentations included foreclosure procedures from CFSB representatives, community health partnerships from KentuckyCare, and an overview of the 4th amendment and demolition statutes from attorney Kristen Krueger, Partner with Keuler, Kelly, Hutchins, Blankenship & Sigler, LLP.
The City of Hopkinsville plans to host the next Regional Code Workshop which will be in March 2026.
For more information about the Code Explanation Initiative or upcoming Regional Code Workshops, contact Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention Greg Cherry.
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