|
DATE: |
September 27, 2022 |
01 |
SUBJECT
Title
COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT - MANDATED FIRE INSPECTION REPORTING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
San Diego County Fire (County Fire) operates a robust pre-fire inspection program to promote safety and well-being for residents in the San Diego County Fire Protection District (SDCFPD). County Fire also conducts inspections within other jurisdictions, by written agreement. The inspection program is mandated under California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.4, which require the fire agency of record in a service area to annually inspect any building used as a school, hotel, motel, lodging house, apartment building, and residential care building for compliance with fire and safety regulations. In addition, the local agency is required to report its findings annually to its governing board. In Fiscal Year 2021, San Diego County Fire completed 100% of mandated inspections, comprising 189 specific sites.
Today’s request is for the Board of Supervisors to adopt a resolution acknowledging receipt of the report of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 mandated fire inspections.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Adopt a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The San Diego County Fire Protection District recognizes the systematic impacts that inequitable policies may create for residents of the County of San Diego. More than 80% of the SDCFPD’s jurisdictional area qualifies as a disadvantaged unincorporated community, based on a San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) report on the funding, administration, and performance of the former County Service Area No. 135 (now SDCFPD). In addition, one aspect of fire prevention is ensuring fire and safety codes are complied with, including facilities housing the most vulnerable. By performing these fire inspections, we are ensuring equitable safety for residents of our county.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed action to adopt a resolution acknowledging receipt of the report of the Fiscal Year 2021-22 mandated fire inspections contribute to the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goals to protect the health and wellbeing of citizens. These actions will impact the sustainability of health and wellbeing by correcting potentially hazardous conditions and imposing safety measures in schools, apartment complexes, group care facilities, residential care facilities, commercial spaces, office complexes, jails, law enforcement stations, transient housing units, and daycare facilities. San Diego County Fire continues to engage with communities by working with property owners and managers during these inspections to build, enhance, and maintain resiliency.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with today’s request to adopt a resolution. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and there will be no additional staff years. The actual inspections do not cost property owners and are funded with the general fund.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
THIS ITEM HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN AT THE REQUEST OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
This item was brought before the Fire Advisory Board on September 12, 2022, and a motion was passed to support the report on mandated inspections.
BACKGROUND
California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2 and 13146.4 require fire agencies to annually inspect all hotels, motels, lodging houses, apartment houses, and schools for compliance with building standards. Section 13146.4 requires fire agencies to provide an annual report to their governing boards regarding compliance with the mandated fire safety inspections.
During Fiscal Year 2021-2022, San Diego County Fire completed the state-mandated inspections on behalf of the San Diego County Fire Protection District, Ramona Municipal Water District, and Deer Springs Fire Protection District. As of August 1, 2022, the Ramona Municipal Water District divested fire protection and emergency medical services. Those responsibilities are now part of the San Diego County Fire Protection District.
County Fire completed 100% of all the required fire inspections in Fiscal Year 2021-2022. In total, 189 inspections were completed at 63 schools, 41 apartment complexes, 18 group care facilities, 2 residential care facilities, 16 commercial spaces, 2 office complexes, 12 jails and law enforcement stations, 28 transient housing units, and 7 daycare facilities. In addition, San Diego County Fire staff conducted 1,272 non-mandated business inspections during the past fiscal year.
These completed fire inspections support the Board’s investment in a robust community risk reduction program, with a goal of improving fire safety for the region’s residents.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s reporting of fire inspections supports the Community Initiative of the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by improving the safety of County residents.
Respectfully submitted,
HELEN N. ROBBINS-MEYER
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - A RESOLUTION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT