Watch: Fire department command staff faces questions on inspections not done in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team tracked down members of the Cleveland Department of Fire command staff with a camera rolling as we asked about fire safety inspections not being done.

We’ve exposed gaps in safety inspections even at the city’s busiest and tallest buildings.
Wednesday, we found some of the fire department top brass walking through Cleveland City Hall.

Recently, we reported, the city has no records of regular safety inspections in maximum risk buildings such as high-rises. At least, for the last two years. Other records the city gave us included reports dating back to the 1940s.

We approached two assistant chiefs Wednesday, leaving a city council public safety hearing.

We said, “We’ve been trying to get some answers about fire inspections, and fire inspections not being done. Wanted to see what light you could shed on that.”

Asst. Chief Bradley Englehart said, “No comment.”

We confirmed through the mayor’s office that Englehart serves as chief of staff in the fire department and his duties include overseeing the Fire Prevention Bureau.

We followed up our initial inquiry with, “Aren’t you over the Fire Prevention Bureau?”

Englehart, again, answered. “No comment.”

In addition to uncovering the gaps in inspections, we also revealed fire inspectors making massive amounts of overtime. Records show members of the Fire Prevention Bureau, last year, raked in up to $80,000 in overtime.

Meantime, we’ve also done more digging into inspections at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Travelers we met expect an airport to keep up on fire safety.

We found, the city’s fire department had no records of inspections at Hopkins for the last four years.

Then, the city referred us to the Airport fire unit.

The city sent us records showing many fire systems at the airport get checked by private contractors. These records show a sprinkler system inspection late last summer revealed a list of repairs needed. We did not get records showing those repairs were done. But, the airport says repairs did get made, and the system is operational.

Records also show another fire protection system checked by airport firefighters was last inspected in 2022. But, the airport says that system is in the process of being, completely, replaced.

The Cleveland fire chief has refused to talk to us on camera about any of this. We first began inquiring as far back as late last year.

Now, we see the chief’s command staff avoiding questions, too.
We ended our conversation with Asst. Chief Englehart, saying, “Talking to you in a public building after a public meeting. Asking a question of importance to the public. So, that’s your message to the public?”

He answered, “Yeah, no comment.”

We plan to continue to ask questions about the safety inspections.