Patrol the Property
Walk the assigned floors, hallways, stairwells, accessible affected areas, and exterior. Watch for signs of smoke or fire and follow the required patrol intervals.
A Company Built for Fire Watch
Josh started Palmetto with a clear standard: answer the phone, get the right people on site, and take every assignment seriously. Fire watch is the company’s sole focus.
Meet Josh Vandernoord
Josh built Palmetto around the work ethic he was raised with: show up, work hard, and do the job properly. He handles your call, arranges the team, and stays involved through the Fire Marshal’s final sign-off.
Fire Watch by Fire Professionals
Most of our team are off-duty firefighters or people with relevant fire-safety experience. Firefighters on staff also train team members who are new to the work, helping them understand what to watch for, how to communicate, and how to respond to an emergency.
New hires must pass a background check and complete the training required for their role. Every assignment also has its own instructions: the affected system, patrol route, site contacts, and emergency procedures.
Josh Stays Personally Involved
Josh manages service calls, quotes, staffing, and communication with property managers and the Fire Marshal’s office. He uses geofenced attendance monitoring and unannounced site visits to check that personnel are where they need to be.
We carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Ask Josh about the insurance information needed for your property’s service arrangements.
Our Fire Watch Responsibilities
Record the Work
Complete the local Fire Marshal’s patrol log with the date, time, firewatcher’s name, areas covered, and any issues. Copies are available on request after the watch ends.
Call 911 and Coordinate
Call 911 immediately in an emergency, follow the dispatcher’s instructions, and alert Josh. Assist with occupant notification and evacuation as conditions allow while Josh coordinates with management.
