Our Prevention Mission
Annual Occupancy Surveys
Plan Reviews & Compliance
Prevention & Education
Alarm & Sprinkler Tests
Fire & Life Safety Training
Special Assignments
The McCook Fire Prevention Division consists of one full-time inspector who is also a certified firefighter/paramedic. The inspector is tasked with surveying all inspectable occupancies within the Village each year, ensuring every business and building meets current life safety standards.
Our prevention, education, and training efforts are vital to our mission of eliminating or reducing the impact of fire and other emergency situations. Additional duties performed by the Division include fire alarm and sprinkler system acceptance tests, compliance review, follow-ups, and special assignments.
Plan Reviews — Fire Safety Consultants
McCook Fire Department uses Fire Safety Consultants to conduct all plan reviews. If you are submitting or intend to submit plans, they can help answer your questions. Any other questions can be directed to the McCook Fire Prevention Division.
Annual Life Safety
Fire Inspections
Life safety inspections are completed yearly by the Fire Prevention Division at all licensed businesses in the Village. Our goal is always compliance — citations are a last resort, and our inspectors work cooperatively with business owners to achieve full compliance.
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Annual Inspection
The Fire Prevention Division conducts a life safety inspection at all licensed businesses within the Village each year, reviewing conditions against applicable fire and safety codes.
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Deficiency Notice
Any deficiencies identified by the inspector are documented and provided to the business. All deficiencies shall be corrected within a three-month window from the date of inspection.
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Follow-Up & Compliance Review
The Division follows up to verify that identified deficiencies have been corrected. Our goal is full compliance and we work with businesses to achieve it cooperatively.
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Citation (Last Resort)
Deficiencies that remain uncorrected may result in the issuance of a Village ordinance citation to appear in adjudication court. Citations are issued only as a last resort.
Adjudication Court is held at Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Businesses cited for unresolved deficiencies will be directed to appear at this hearing. Our goal is compliance — citations will always be a last resort option.
Importance of Changing Smoke Detector Batteries
Never disable a detector by borrowing its battery for another use. Smoke detectors "chirp" or give some other audible signal when their batteries need to be replaced — but monthly testing and replacing the batteries when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time will ensure proper function year-round.
A Simple & Effective Preventative Measure
Smoke Detector Placement Guide
A properly installed and tested home smoke alarm with a fresh battery is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect yourself and your family from a home fire.
Outside Each Sleeping Area
According to the National Fire Protection Association, minimum protection requires a smoke detector outside each sleeping area in the home.
Every Level of the Home
Install a smoke detector on every level of your home, including the basement. No floor should be left unprotected.
Mount High — Smoke Rises
Because smoke rises, mount detectors high on a wall or on the ceiling for maximum effectiveness in an emergency.
Wall-Mounted Units
Wall-mounted smoke detectors should be hung 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling to ensure proper smoke detection.
Ceiling-Mounted Units
Ceiling-mounted detectors should be attached at least 4 inches from the nearest wall to avoid dead air space where smoke may not reach.
Pitched Ceilings
In rooms with pitched ceilings, mount the detector at or near the ceiling's highest point where rising smoke will accumulate first.
Source: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends these minimum standards for residential smoke alarm placement. For complete guidance, visit nfpa.org.
Fire Prevention Quick Tips
Simple steps every resident can take to improve fire safety at home and at work.
Test Monthly
Test every smoke detector in your home once a month by pressing the test button until the alarm sounds.
Never Disable
Never remove or borrow batteries from a smoke detector. A disabled detector offers no protection during a fire.
Replace Every 10 Years
Smoke detectors have a limited lifespan. Replace the entire unit every 10 years, even if it still appears to be working.