The Grease Police launches nationwide fire prevention organization

West Milton, OH - Two months after two Boston firefighters were killed in a restaurant fire caused by excess kitchen exhaust grease, a new organization has formed dedicated to improving the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry.

“The tragedy we have experienced in Boston is a result of poor kitchen exhaust cleaning service, as well as lack of enforcement from local fire inspectors. If the service company had cleaned according to the NFPA 96 standard this tragedy could have been avoided. “said Josh Dodson, president of The Grease Police Association and Service Manager of Liberty Services, Inc. - an Ohio-based company that has been in the
kitchen exhaust cleaning business since 1996.

The Grease Police Association is the new authority in the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry. The GPA strives to have every kitchen exhaust system cleaned to the current NFPA #96 Fire Code and will be proactive in educating and regulating kitchen exhaust cleaners and the GPA members.

Each Grease Police member is trained and certified and held accountable by fellow Grease Police members, who have developed a quality control method that prevents substandard cleaners from gaining a foothold within the organization.

The Grease Police is also a collective voice lobbying fire marshals, insurance companies, restaurant associations, and the legislature.

“Our goal is to inform those with the ability to improve and enforce a higher standard in the KEC industry that there is an association that ensures the job is being performed properly, that it’s members are committed to a higher standard, and that each member of The Grease Police Association is accountable for their efforts”

The same public health risk that ignited the Boston restaurant exists in cities across the U.S. and another tragedy could occur at any time – maybe next time in your city.

Until today, it has been the sole responsibility of local fire marshals and other local authorities to make sure restaurant owners keep their kitchens free from grease accumulations.

But in reality fire marshals and city health inspectors rarely have the time to inspect each restaurant vent hood systems for grease. In many cases, grease collects for months or even years in restaurant kitchen exhaust systems, despite the fact that the National Fire Protection Association recommends these systems be cleaned on a regular basis.

With little oversight from local jurisdictions, restaurant owners are at the mercy of kitchen exhaust cleaners to keep their restaurants free from dangerous grease accumulations.

Unfortunately, there is very little oversight in the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry and shoddy work has become rampant as cleaners are not held accountable by any legal authority.