L.A. Fire Chief Blames Politics for Shift of Inspection Rights

Fire Chief Donald O. Manning has told Gov. George Deukmejian that he is worried that what he called “political interference” is threatening public safety in the dozens of state-operated buildings in the city.

Manning said he is concerned because the responsibility for fire safety inspections in state buildings in Los Angeles has been taken over by state inspectors, replacing city Fire Department inspectors who have been charged with the task for the last 19 years.

The question of who should inspect state buildings became an issue when State Fire Marshal James F. McMullen told Manning by letter in May that beginning June 1, state inspectors would take over the job. Manning first publicly raised the issue at a Fire Commission meeting.

Capability Questioned

In a letter to the governor, Manning questioned whether McMullen’s office had the “intent/capability” to properly oversee inspection of state buildings.

“The action initiated by Chief McMullen has, in my professional view, potentially placed the public, who frequents state-owned/occupied buildings in Los Angeles, at a much greater risk level than is reasonably acceptable,” Manning wrote.

The fire chief pointed out that the Los Angeles Fire Department is charged with fighting fires in state buildings and that requires close coordination between inspectors and firefighters, who could now find themselves facing unknown and hazardous conditions.

He noted that McMullen had invited city fire inspectors to continue their safety checks of state buildings, but that henceforth they must report any violations to the state--a suggestion Manning said he rejected.