One of our biggest priorities is the prevention of fires, accidents and injuries before they occur. This is accomplished through fire prevention, building code enforcement, and public education.

Our Fire Prevention Bureau heads up our Company Inspection Program, yearly Weed Abatement Program, Photoelectric Smoke Detector Compliance Program and works with the other City Departments in reviewing plans for fire code requirements.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

NFPA offers the following 10 general tips for fire safety:

• Watch your cooking: Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove
• Give space heaters space: Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Smoke outside: Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach: Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
• Inspect electrical cords: Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, frayed, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
• Be careful when using candles: Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Have a home fire escape plan: Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
• Install smoke alarms: Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home - when one sounds, they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms: Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.
• Install sprinklers: If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.

Wildfire Community Preparedness

Every first Saturday of May in the U.S. and Canada, the Wildfire Community Preparedness national campaign is held. We encourage every person or organization to take action to raise awareness and reduce wildfire risks.

For 2022, Preparedness Day is focused on what residents can do on and around their home to help protect against the threat of wildfires. The following  toolkit provides a list of project ideas, safety tips, and more, to help guide you.

Access Preparedness Day Toolkit