The Fire Prevention Bureau is staffed with two firefighters who work a 40-hour work week. They are required to maintain their firefighter and EMT certification, and receive additional certifications and training for fire inspections and investigations. The primary responsibilities of fire prevention include:

• Building Inspections
• Fire Investigations
• Public Fire Education
• Code Enforcement
• Plan Review

In addition, the fire prevention personnel sit on two standing committees for the City of Findlay, which are the City Planning Committee and the City Event Committee. The fire prevention personnel are designated with unit numbers “FM-1” and “FM-2”, which harken back to the early days of fire prevention when these employees were referred to as Fire Marshals.

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FM-1: Kevin Shenise     

The Findlay Fire Department designation for Kevin Shenise is FM-1. Shenise has been with the department since 2001, and was assigned to the prevention bureau in 2016.

As FM-1, Kevin’s primary responsibilities are fire investigations, fire plans review, new construction inspections, property research & public records requests, school inspections, and conducting background investigations on recruit candidates. Shenise is the primary FFD point of contact for the State Fire Marshal Inspectors and Wood County Building Department. He also works closely with the Findlay Police Department on any potential arson investigation.

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FM-2: Eric Wilkins

Eric Wilkins is assigned to the fire prevention bureau and is designated as FM-2. Eric has been with the Findlay Fire Department since 2001 and assigned to the prevention bureau in 2021.

As FM-2, Eric is primarily responsible for existing commercial building inspections. He is also responsible for fire education, adoption/foster/day care facility inspections, and will also be the backup fire investigator for the Findlay Fire Department. Wilkins will also work with the Wood County Building Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office Inspectors on various aspects of inspections.