Fire Prevention And Planning

The Planning/Fire Prevention Division is responsible for inspecting multi-family residential and commercial properties within the City of Deerfield Beach and examining building construction plans for compliance with Life Safety Code and Fire Safety Code.

Assistant Chief Gary Fernaays is the section chief in charge of the Planning/Fire Prevention Division and has 25 years of service with the Department of Fire and Rescue. He is responsible for ensuring that businesses within the community are inspected as per code requirements, overseeing the approval of construction plans and coordinating public education efforts aimed at preventing fires. Chief Fernaays holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of Arizona, and an Associates Degree from Broward College. Chief Fernaays is a State Certified Fire Inspector and a Fire Code Official and Plans Examiner. The Assistant Chief of Planning/Fire Prevention is a member of the executive fire leadership team and also serves as the Fire Marshall.

Administrative Support Specialist Gail Knapp provides direct support to Assistant Chief Fernaays and staff of the Planning/Fire Prevention Division to meet the objectives set forth by the Fire Chief. She has been with the department for 17 years.

Captain Mike Hefferon has been with the department for 20 years and was recently promoted to the rank of captain. He serves as our plans examiner and fire code official.
Captain Tim Pehlke has been with the department for 23 years with the last 1 and a half years in the Planning/Fire Prevention Division. Captain Pehlke is a Technical Inspector who regularly interacts with the public and coordinates the Division of Fire Preventions Annual School Safety Program.

Technical Inspector/Fire Prevention Captain Michael Robinson, Brett Dunckel, and Richard Johnson are technical inspectors who are responsible for evaluating hundreds of businesses for compliance with local, state and federal regulations.





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