Fire Prevention Division

In addition to conducting annual inspections of all businesses, hotels, schools, and certain other structures, Fire Inspectors perform in-depth plan reviews and conduct detailed inspections of all new buildings and alterations for compliance with fire and life safety code requirements. There are some fees assessed for some inspections, please see the Fire Department Fee Schedule at the link at the bottom of this paragraph. To schedule a fire inspection you must come by our office at 9245 Pigeon Roost Road and pay the associated fees with your inspection and it will then be scheduled with one of the fire inspectors. Fire inspectors: Brad Waldrip (662-892-9557), Jason Coad (662-892-9556), Ian Sammons (662-892-9560)                                                    

Fire Incident Report

Contact the Fire Department Headquarters at 662-892-9550 for a fire incident report copy. Tell them the incident for which you need a report. Be sure to include your name, the date of the incident, and the address of the incident. Reports usually take 3 days to be completed before we can issue a copy of them.

Fire Extinguisher Training

Many people have never handled a fire extinguisher or been trained on how to properly use one. Don't let the first time be during a real fire situation. Olive Branch Fire Department has the Bullseye Digital Fire Extinguisher Training System to help companies prepare their employees for an emergency situation. This system allows employees to be trained in multiple settings within your facility. The entire system is customizable with a fire simulator, fire extinguishers, fire alarm pull station, as well as simulated smoke. The Bullseye Digital Fire Extinguisher Training System has LED-driven digital flames and a laser training extinguisher providing realistic simulation with the use of conical lasers to replicate extinguisher discharge. This system provides a cleaner way to train.

Fire Investigations

Each year across the nation billions of dollars worth of property and hundreds of lives are lost as a result of fires that are intentionally started by arsonists. The City of Olive Branch was not exempt from these losses, at least until November 1993, when the Olive Branch Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit was created.

Arson is the top cause of fires in non-residential structures. Arson is the number two cause of fires in the home. Arsonists strike for many reasons, including spite and revenge, vandalism, crime concealment, insurance fraud, competition, and extortion. Arson is an epidemic that robs communities of their valuable tax base and forces citizens to pay higher insurance premiums and taxes.

The Olive Branch Fire Investigation Unit has and continues to have a substantial impact on the arson mitigation efforts in the City of Olive Branch, using internal Fire Department investigations, and assisted by:

  • Police Investigators from the Olive Branch Police Department
  • Desoto County Fire Investigators
  • Fire Marshals from the State of Mississippi Fire Marshals Office
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Our Fire Investigation Unit is comprised of Fire Inspector/Investigator Art Dunlap, and Fire Inspector/Investigator Brad Waldrip. These individuals are extensively trained in fire investigation where it concerns cause and origin, as well as arson and explosives. They are also assisted by the Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chiefs, and Training Officer. These individuals are trained in fire investigation as well and operate as part of the unit when necessary.

Arson Facts

  • There are about 500,000 arson fires each year in the United States.
  • Approximately $4,000 in property is lost each minute as a result of arson.
  • Arson is the leading cause of dollar loss from fire, exceeding annually.
  • Arson is the second leading cause of residential fire deaths.
  • Juveniles account for 55% of arson arrests nationally.

Reward Information

Citizen involvement is imperative in identifying individuals responsible for setting arson fires. Without your tips on the identity of the arsonist, our entire community suffers.

To report arson contact one of the following:

  • Crime Stoppers
    • 901-212-2576
  • Olive Branch Fire Department
    • 662-892-9550
    • 662-892-9556
    • 662-892-9557