Overview

All fire investigations are conducted in accordance with the guidelines and standards of NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033 (currently adopted edition). The fire investigators at the Rome/Floyd Fire Marshal's Office are members of the Georgia Fire Investigator's Association:  

Fire Report Requests

All requests for reports must be submitted in writing. Requests must include the date and address of the incident location for a Fire Report and should include the patient's name for Emergency Medical (PCR) Reports. Any other report or record request must be specific. We do not create nor compile custom summaries, lists, or reports of fires or other emergency responses, pursuant to the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71).

Fees

All record requests will be subject to a replication fee of 10 cents per page copied with a research fee equal to the hourly rate of the lowest-paid person qualified to research the request after the first quarter-hour. (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 (c,d,e,f,g) and § 50-18-71.2). The requested report, record, summaries, or compilations must be in existence at the time of the request O.C.G.A.50-18-70(d).

Any citizen of Georgia may obtain copies of fire reports which are defined as public records. Information contained in reports which do not fall under Open Records will be redacted prior to release. Persons other than the property owner or renter of the property will be charged a replication fee of 10 cents per page for copies of requested documents. If the report is to be mailed, a self-addressed stamped envelope (S.A.S.E.) must be provided in addition to the replication fee, or fees for correct postage shall be assessed. Additionally, administrative research fees may apply after the first quarter-hour, assessed at the rate of the lowest-paid hourly employee who is qualified and available to perform the search, retrieval, duplication, supervision, and inspection of such requested records (O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 (c,d,e,f,g) and § 50-18-71.2.

If fees are assessed, records shall not be released without payment.

Illegal Burning

The burning of garbage is prohibited. Garbage is any waste material that includes but is not limited to plastic products, Styrofoam, fiberglass, recycling wire (burned to access metal), tires, clothing, furniture, mattresses, boxes, papers, stumps, root balls, and kudzu vines. Any yard debris that is moved from one property to another cannot be burned. For information regarding alternative methods to dispose of yard waste, call the Georgia Environmental Protection Division at 404-362-2537.

Even if all guidelines for burning are followed, you may be required to extinguish the fire if it adversely interferes with another's enjoyment of life, use of property, or if someone with a health problem is affected. The Police Department Environment Protection Division and the City of Rome Code Enforcement will be notified in the event an outdoor burn is determined to be illegal.

Burn Permits & Open Burning Ban

Senate Bill 1119 and OCGA 12-6-90--Changes to Georgia's Outdoor Burn Notification System

Permits for hand-piled, natural vegetation collected on-site are no longer required. Georgia Forestry at 877-652-2876. Citizens can access more information on the open burning ban by visiting Georgia's Environmental Protection Division and find the Open Burning Rules for Georgia under Popular Topics, or by calling the EPD District Office serving their area.

Permits are required for agriculture, silviculture and land-clearing burns for residential or commercial development.

Rules for Open Burning Ban

Don't burn anything from May 1 through September 30, 2022.

Mountain District Office (Cartersville) Phone: 770-387-4900. It covers Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Dawson, Floyd, Forsyth, Gordon, Haralson, Lumpkin, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, and Walker Counties.

Some exceptions include:

• Agricultural burning exemption
• Forestry "prescribed burning" exemption*
• Campfires or barbeques
• Fire-fighting training exemption provided an appropriate permit is issued
• Operation of open flame equipment exemption
• Explosive disposal in accordance with U.S. Department of Labor Safety Regulations

Failure to adhere to the burn ban during May through September may result in fines.

Before you Burn...TAKE 5(FIVE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ARE MANDATED BY THE NEW LAW.)

1. SPACE--25+ FEET BETWEEN FIRE AND WOODLANDS.
2. SPACE--50+ FEET BETWEEN FIRE AND STRUCTURES.
3. TIME--SUNRISE TO SUNSET.
4. ATTENDANCE--Person responsible stays onsite until fire is completely extinguished and there is no risk of burn escaping. 
5. REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS-- Some examples are: tools/measures in place to prevent escaped fire. These included: continuous pressurized water source on site; man-made or natural barrier to contain fire, such as bare soil, rocks, bricks, burn barrel, etc.; hand tools or fire-containing equipment on site, such as rake, shovel, garden hoe, etc,; weather awareness--to NWS red flag warnings, High Fire Danger designation of Very High or Extreme days and other hazardous conditions, low relative humidity, high winds etc.,

Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire

Georgia Forestry Commission

Phase I Site Assessment Request

All Phase I Site Assessment requests should be coordinated thru the Fire Marshall's office.

The request must include:

• A complete street address (i.e. address number and street name)
• When possible, include the nearest cross street to the address
• Specific information that is being requested, i.e. under/above ground storage tanks, hazmat spills, fires, etc.

Upon completion of a records search, an email acknowledgment of the results will be sent. If any record(s) are found they will not be provided unless a specific request for copies of the record(s) is made. There are fees charged for copies of records. Fees are due prior to the release of the records.

City of Rome Properties:  For Phase I Requests involving any property within the City of Rome relating to Fire Code Data (i.e., Fire Code Violations, Inspections, etc.), the Fire Code Data request should also be sent to the Fire Marshal.

City of Rome Phase 1 Site Assessment Request 

Floyd County Properties: For Phase 1 Requests involving any property within Floyd County but not within the city limits of Rome relating to Fire Code Data (i.e.,  Fire Code Violations, Inspections, etc) Please click the link:

Floyd County Phase 1 Assessment Request