Fire Prevention Division

Division Vision, Mission, & Responsibility

Promote Safety - Serve Community - Protect Life

Our vision is to be a recognized leader in building safety, fire prevention, and public services.

Our mission is to maintain a high level of safety and public welfare by providing professional level services of plan review, building, electrical, fire and property maintenance inspections, fire investigations and public education. We provide professional guidance of adopted standards and codes to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare for the citizens and visitors of Paducah.

The Fire Prevention Division of the Paducah Fire Department has the responsibility for fire prevention under Chapter 46 (Fire Prevention and Protection) of the Paducah Code of Ordinances and for building, electrical, construction, demolition, code enforcement, and rental occupancy permits under Chapter 42 (Environment) of the Paducah Code of Ordinances.  The Fire Prevention Division has the responsibility for the 1) issuance of permits; 2) building and construction inspection; 3) electrical inspection; 4) codes enforcement, housing, zoning, building, electrical, etc; 5) maintenance of city records for all construction and property improvement within the city or its jurisdiction; and 6) other such duties, functions, and responsibilities as may be delegated by the Fire Chief.   For more information about codes, visit Chapter 18 (Building and Building Regulations) of the Paducah Code of Ordinances.  

Kentucky's Current Adopted Codes >>

Divisions Under Fire Prevention and Contacts

Code Enforcement (see contacts below)

Construction (site plans, permits, plan check, inspections, adopted codes, contracting requirements) >>     

Fire Marshal (public education, fire safety/prevention inspections, smoke alarm installation) >>

Fire Prevention Division
City Hall, 1st Floor
300 South 5th Street
P.O. Box 2267
Paducah, KY 42002-2267

For construction related inquiries  270-444-8527
For yards and grounds complaints and/or existing housing problems  270-444-8522​ 

 - Deputy Chief Fire Prevention
 - Chief Electrical Inspector
 - Deputy Building Inspector I
 - Executive Assistant I
 - Chief Building Inspector
 - Code Enforcement Officer I
David Howe - Deputy Fire Marshal
 - Deputy Electrical Inspector II/Plans Review
 - Code Enforcement Officer I
 - Permit Specialist
 - Deputy Fire Marshal
 - Code Enforcement Officer I

7th Annual Combined Conference - Fire Service, Electrical, and Building Professionals

October 26-27, 2018

The Paducah Fire Prevention Division is hosting the 7th Annual Combined Conference for Fire Service, Electrical, and Building Professionals on Friday, October 26 through Saturday, October 27.  The FREE conference is available to anyone in the electrical, building, construction, design, social services, or firefighting professions.  If you are interested in being a sponsor or reserving vendor space, contact Deputy Fire Marshal April Tinsman or Deputy Chief Greg Cherry at 270-444-8527.

Customer Satisfaction Survey

The Fire Prevention Division strives to achieve good relationships with our residents and businesses. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Your feedback will assist us in improving our services.  Visit Customer Satisfaction Survey to take the online survey. 

Reorganization of Inspection Department into Fire Prevention Division

On June 26, 2012, the Paducah Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance creating the Fire Prevention Division of the Paducah Fire Department which abolished the Inspection Department with the employees and duties, functions, and responsibilities of that department moved to the Fire Prevention Division.  In February 2012, the Fire Department began overseeing the department through a pilot program.  Two meetings were held with contractors to gain their feedback with an emphasis on enhancing customer service and improving service delivery.  Several changes were initiated immediately following the creation of the Fire Prevention Division including the purchase of additional field supplies for the code enforcement officers, development of criteria for foreclosures, a renovation of the office area with a movement toward a paperless office, integration of a document management service, and the scheduling of training.  To learn more about the enacted and proposed changes, view the Fire-Inspection Reorganization >> slide presentation given by Chief Steve Kyle at the June 5, 2012 City Commission budget workshop.