2022 Fire Prevention Performance Outlined by Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office

Louisiana – State Fire Marshal Dan Wallis has announced the agency’s 2022 performance outcomes, which demonstrate continuity in services to and protection for the people of Louisiana following a seamless leadership transition mid-year.

“I know that the formula for success established and executed under Chief Browning during his 14-year tenure is why the agency adjusted to me stepping into his shoes without a hitch,” said Wallis, “I’m proud of the hard-working employees of this agency continuing to serve this state’s residents and business owners with care, urgency, and superior standards.”

The number of plan review submittals for new commercial construction and/or significant renovation projects reflected the state’s growing economy. In 2022, there were over 19,000 submissions, up from 17,500 in 2021. The total estimated value of projects submitted in 2022 exceeded $9.4 billion. The plan review team at the agency responded to 56% of submittals within five days of their entry into our Information Management System (IMS.)

Around 26,500 final inspections of new commercial buildings opening across the state were conducted by enforcement deputies, as well as compliance inspections of existing commercial buildings. Deputies also inspected hundreds of fireworks stands and displays, confirmed safety standards in in-home daycares, and responded to thousands of impairment reports on commercial businesses’ life safety and property protection systems.

Over 700 fire incidents were investigated by LASFM deputies. Fewer than 250 of those fires were classified as incendiary, which is consistent with the 2021 figure, which was lower than the previous three years’ figures. The agency’s arrest rate is approximately 45%, which is higher than the national average (21% in 2020).

Sadly, despite a significant decrease in fatal fire figures in 2021, we returned to losing nearly 80 lives in residential fires in 2022. Only three of the cases involved structures that had functioning smoke alarms at the time of the fires. Deputies were able to determine that the most common causes of these fires were electrical, heating-related, and/or smoking.
Furthermore, the LASFM continued to license thousands of individuals and businesses, issue over 1,000 permits, and log over 2,000 registrations in 2022, generating more than $1 million in revenue. These licenses, permits, and registrations cover a wide range of industries, including life safety and property protection companies, amusement ride operators, conveyance devices, fireworks professionals and retailers, and boiler systems.

The agency’s Emergency Services division continued to assist in the aftermath of disasters both at home and in our partner countries. Following Hurricane Ian, a LASFM-coordinated Incident Management Team of about a dozen specialists was deployed to Fort Myers Beach, Florida, to assist the local fire district and town leadership with recovery functions and operations.
Finally, the State Fire Marshal’s Office expanded its fire prevention and safety efforts by collaborating with lawmakers to develop and pass legislation requiring sealed-battery carbon monoxide detectors in all one and two-family homes sold or leased after January 1, 2023. The agency maintains its partnership with local fire departments to provide the Operation Save-A-Life program, which provides free smoke alarm installation to low-income families.

“One of my goals for the agency in 2023 is to show the people of Louisiana another year of quality customer service,” said Wallis, “But another is that I want to challenge the people of Louisiana to join us in the effort to prevent fires in all structures, especially in their own homes. We stand by the motto that ‘fire is everyone’s fight’ and we want 2023 to be the year Louisianans fights for fire safety where they should be the most safe.”