The division of Fire Prevention is responsible for developing and implementing programs and policies that prevent or reduce the magnitude of emergency occurrences, such as loss of life and property, or environmental damage. Employees are responsible for a variety of duties including:

 

Site & Building Inspections – The Bureau conducts life safety inspections at new and existing occupancies, on a scheduled basis for permit requests, annual permit renewals for various activities, and upon request.
 

Business License Fire Inspections – Reviews and evaluates each business license application in the city for compliance with fire and life-safety issues and coordinates with other regulatory agencies when joint reviews are necessary.

 

Manage Inspection Records and Reports for all occupancies
 

Formalize and follow through to conclusion, a Fire Mitigation Program
 

Enforcing Fire Code – Helping businesses and building owners understand the inspection program and ensure fire and life-safety code compliance, thus helping individuals understand how they contribute to the overall public safety.
 

Plan Review Process - Plans are reviewed for compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and standards, in a timely manner.
 

Public Education and Community Relations – A variety of public education safety programs for all age groups are offered including a safety house program, a juvenile fire setter intervention program, and school/preschool fire safety education programs.
 

Code Development - Fire and life safety code requirements are incorporated into all new development and construction. The Uniform Fire Code is adopted by the City for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire, hazardous materials or explosions. Staff ensures compliance with state mandates and amends the codes based upon certain local conditions. Our codes continue to address the latest technological advances. Every three years, the California Health and Safety Code mandates that all public agencies responsible for administering building and safety and fire codes comply with the state adopted codes.
 

Residential hazard abatement- The department, as a whole, conducts residential hazard inspections beginning June first. The on duty crews walk all the streets and inspect properties for these hazards.
 

Fire Investigation – The fire investigator is responsible for investigating fires to determine origin and cause. The fire investigator conducts criminal investigations and assist in the prosecution of arsonists. The investigator also assist with the department’s juvenile counseling program. Fire inspections provide a comprehensive fire investigation service to the department by investigating all fires to their conclusion. Data gained from the investigator is used to help shape the code adoption, public education, criminal prosecution and is aimed at enhancing the overall service delivery.