The local health department and fire departments are working together to ensure all food truck operators can easily have their trucks inspected, and residents feel confident dining at them.
The Union County Health Department and area fire departments will host a “food truck round-up” on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout March, during which food trucks can be inspected by both agencies in the health department parking lot, 940 London Ave.
Through doing so, the mobile restaurants earn a sticker that denotes they can legally operate in Union County.
Marysville Division of Fire Lt. Keith Watson, who helped coordinate the round-up, said the goal is to have community members “feel safe” when they order at food trucks.
“We really look at it as going to Benny’s (Pizza), but in a mobile unit,” he said.
Watson explained that owners of mobile food units typically have to schedule separate inspections by the health department – for food safety – and by a fire department – for vehicle safety – before they are licensed to operate.
Jennifer Thrush, public information officer for UCHD, said the health department typically provides pre-licensing inspections for mobile units at the owner’s home or another storage location of the unit.
While that approach works well for operators who have several trucks or for specific units that require a water safety sample, Thrush said health department officials are looking forward to the collaboration with area fire departments.
“We are excited about the opportunity to partner with the local fire departments to provide both health and fire inspections at one time for our mobile food vendors,” said UCHD Director of Environmental Health Adam Schultz.
He added, “This may not be ideal for all our mobile vendors, like those who have multiple units or those who need a water safety sample, but we are eager to see if this opportunity helps streamline the process for the mobile food vendors, fire departments and our staff.”
Watson said the idea to offer both inspections at one time and place originated with the City of Columbus.
He said the 2017 Ohio Fire Code included requirements for mobile food units, so fire departments became responsible for inspecting them.
To consolidate efforts, Columbus officials started hosting a food truck round-up every spring.
Watson said, as the number of food trucks that operate in Union County grows, he felt the community could emulate Columbus’ approach.
Along with the health department, Watson said all fire departments in the county have agreed to participate in the food truck round-ups.
He said the group effort is an extension of regular cooperation between agencies throughout the area. Watson noted that the county-wide Fire Investigation Team, which formed four years ago, “has spawned more and more collaboration.”
As far as food truck inspections go, Watson said fire personnel from local departments sat down together “as inspectors” and established a standard based on the Ohio Fire Code.
Watson said the safety inspections cover a variety of topics intended to keep operators and diners safe.
Inspectors ensure operators have a back-up generator so they do not attempt to unsafely refill a hot generator. They also work with operators on propane safety and making sure trucks have gas shut-offs on their exterior and gas leak detection.
Fire personnel also ensure food trucks have an appropriate sized fire extinguisher stationed in an appropriate location, exits from the truck and a hood system.
Because the standard inspectors follow was established together, Watson said different fire departments can participate in the food truck round-ups, then share reports with agencies throughout the county.
Watson, who also serves on the Union County Board of Health, said he feels the food truck round-ups will be a “great collaboration.”
Whether from the perspective of health or fire departments, he said the goal is to work toward serving the public more effectively.
Schultz said mobile food vendors who are interested in getting their fire and health inspections done at the round-ups are encouraged to pre-register by calling UCHD at (937) 642-2053.
He said health department employees can help operators through any paperwork needs and permit fees ahead of time so they can “drive out the day of their inspection with a food license in hand.”