Council introduces ordinance to create a fire prevention bureau inside Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department

The Youngsville City Council introduced an ordinance to establish and recognize a fire prevention bureau within the Youngsville Volunteer Fire Department.

Captain (presenting on behalf of the fire department) explained the bureau would enable the department to perform yearly inspections, develop pre‑fire plans and pursue points in the insurance rating system that can reduce local property insurance premiums. "All this does is establish us to act in lieu of the fire state fire marshal to be able to do yearly inspections on buildings," the captain said.

Why it matters: the bureau is part of the department’s strategy to improve its Public Protection Classification and reduce homeowners’ flood/insurance costs and premiums. Staff told council that creating a fire prevention bureau would likely require hiring at least one full‑time inspector and that the software and administrative tools are already in place.

Council action: Councilmember Barres moved to introduce the ordinance; a second was recorded and the motion to introduce passed unanimously. Council discussion referenced the staffing costs for a dedicated position estimated at roughly $70,000 annually (salary and benefits) and described the bureau as a strategic investment to lower insurance rates by improving the fire department’s rating metrics.

Next steps: Introduction advances the ordinance for formal adoption at a future meeting and staff will return with budget language and implementation details, including the proposed position description.