Fire Prevention and Life Safety

The Bureau is an integral component of the Fire Department. It serves the community in a variety of ways.

The prevention prevention program prevents injury and loss to life, property and the environment caused by fire, explosion or exposure to hazardous materials.

Program goals include:

• Eliminating fire hazards and investigating fires in buildings, equipment and properties
• Safely handling and containing all hazardous materials.
• Broadening public awareness about the dangers of fire and hazardous materials.

Pool Safety

• Use the buddy system when swimming or boating.
• Supervise children near water and other drowning hazards.
• Use effective barriers around pools, ponds and other drowning hazards.
• Avoid swimming after dark.

Boat Safety

• Be aware of local weather conditions prior to engaging in recreational water activities.
  
• Take a boating safety class before operating a boat or personal watercraft.
  
• Know and understand local and state laws regarding boating, personal floatation devices and personal watercraft use.
  
• Avoid using alcohol or other drugs prior to and during water activities.
  
• Require all persons to wear Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices when involved in water-related activities regardless of swimming ability.
  
• Learn CPR and encourage adolescents to do the same.

9-1-1 For Emergencies Only

• Dispatchers provide instructions and assistance to caller before help arrives.
  
• Emergency personnel arrive fast and start medical care.
  
• Emergency personnel can restart or shock the heart if patient goes into cardiac arrest.
  

Create a "Safety Zone Around Your House"   

"The best partnership the public can have with wildland firefighters is to reduce the amount of flammable vegetation and combustible materials around their homes.  We call this `defensible space,'" says Mike Apicello, public affairs officer at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.  
                                                                  
Fire officials recommend a 30 to 100-foot-wide fire break around a home.  The most critical zone is the five-foot-wide area closest to the structure.
To make a safety zone around your home, follow these steps:

Install "hard"scaping: Gravel paths, stone or concrete patios, and non-wooden decks act as fuel breaks.

Plant a lawn to serve a green belt:  Rye grasses have a lower fuel content than other grass varieties.  Mow grass in spring, before thatching, to minimize risk of fire.  Remove all clippings.

Use low-growing, non-volatile ground covers and succulents: Most species of ice plant and cactus are good choices.  Others include thyme, rosemary, yarrow, ivy geraniums, verbena or trailing gazanias.

Plants taller than 18 inches can serve as fuel ladders.

• Avoid flammable plants: Plants containing volatile oils can explode when ignited.  Highly flammable plants include eucalyptus, acacia, sumac, pines, junipers, bougainvillea, and pampas grass.

• Choose fire-resistant trees: Safer choices include crape myrtle, tulip trees, flowering plums or Chinese banyans.  

• Irrigate landscaping in dry climates: Water helps plants maintain a high-moisture content.  

• Clear brush and trim trees near your home: Trim trees around your residence to a height of eight to ten feet to eliminate "fuel ladders" which enable flames to climb onto the structure.  Keep trees at least three feet away from power lines and chimneys.

Eliminate dead wood and moss in trees.

Remove flammable materials: Woodpiles and other combustibles should be kept away from the home.

Get rid of weeds, dead pine needles and other dry ground coverings.  Remove dead leaves from the roof and clear debris from rain gutters.

Include a water source: A pond, spa, pool, or water storage tank along with a gasoline-powered pump or generator and hoses may help save your home.

Finally, when weighing your landscaping options, remember that dollars spent to protect your home and family from fire may be the wisest investment you'll ever make.

Firesafe Roofing

A major cause of home loss in the wildland area is the flammability of roofing materials.  Roofs can catch fire easily when wind-blown sparks land on them, or from direct contact with flames from nearby trees, shrubs or neighboring structures.

Once a flammable roof ignites, fire usually moves quickly to the rest of the structure.  You can't always depend on exterior roof sprinklers to protect your flammable roof from burning. Not only is water pressure at its lowest during a fire, but the electricity needed to pump the water often fails. The high winds associated with the event also divert the spray from the roof.

When installing a new roof, try to strike the right balance of cost, aesthetics and fire protection. Ask your contractor about non-combustible or fire-resistant materials, such as Class-A asphalt shingles, metal, cement and concrete products, or terra-cotta tiles. Today, there are even products that simulate the look of wood shakes.

Building in a fire-resistant sub-roof may add the protection you need without sacrificing anything in your design.

Fire Resistive Construction

Prohibition on Use of Wood Shake or Shingle Roofs

The entire City has been designated a high-fire hazard because of exposure to climatic, topographical,  ographical and seismic conditions.  Due to this, wood-shake or wood-shingle roof coverings shall not be installed on any building.

Exception: Roof covering for an addition to an existing building where the new roof area is less than 50 percent of the existing roof area may be an approved Class B pressure-treated wood-shake or shingle system.  Determination of the 50 percent area limitation shall be cumulative with each addition to the building.

Flame-Resistance of Exterior Awnings

All exterior awnings connected or adjacent to buildings shall be made from fabric which has been flame-resistant treated with an approved exterior chemical process by an approved application concern, or from inherently flame-resistant fabric approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal for exterior use.

Certificates of flame-resistance or other documentation acceptable to the Fire Chief shall be available on the premises to affirm the flame-resistance of all fabrics and materials used as part of exterior awnings.

Exception: Single-family and duplex dwellings not exceeding three stories in height.

More Fire Prevention information will be