Texas Fire Inspectors clarifies role, changing name due to residents’ confusion
CONNIE SWINNEY • STAFF WRITER
MARBLE FALLS — A private company has vowed to change its name after residents voiced confusion about its role regarding fire safety when soliciting local businesses, officials say.
Texas Fire Inspectors, a state-licensed fire extinguisher inspection company, had visited a few Marble Falls merchants before concerns surfaced about the business’ identification and role, according to Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Russell Sander.
“We had received several phone calls from business owners asking if they were members of Marble Falls Fire Rescue,” Sander said. “There are many companies who sell fire extinguishers. The company is legitimate.”
The private company — which has no enforcement powers — sells, services, maintains and inspects extinguishers as well as offers fire safety tips.
“We’re just trying to be helpful,” co-owner Jason Laurent said. “They can purchase extinguishers from wherever they want.
“That’s what we do,” he added. “So instead of making you drive to the store, we will offer you the service.”
The name and logo of the business prompted local fire officials to contact the company and post a notice to residents for clarification.
“I just want to make sure these people are not confused,” Sander said. “We do not sell anything at Marble Falls Fire Rescue.
“We do our inspections as a service to the community,” he said.
The company has proposed a name change as well.
“As soon as we were getting confused people, we went onto our website and put up that we’re not the fire marshal,” Laurent said. “We’re out there trying to help the community, just giving everybody piece of mind and giving them their minimum requirement for fire safety.”
The company has applied to change its name to Brothers Fire and Water Protection, which is pending state approval.
“They’re not telling us we have to change our name. It’s just a confusion factor that we are trying to eliminate,” Laurent said.
City fire code regulator officials, however, do have the power to enforce and penalize those who fail to follow municipal codes.
“We do safety inspections for businesses in accordance with the fire code to make sure it’s safe,” Sander said. “The fire code does require a certain number of fire extinguishers and types. All we’re going to do is verify the fire extinguisher is checked.”
For more information, call Marble Falls Fire Rescue at (830) 693-4060.
connie@thepicayune.com