FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
The Fire Prevention Bureau exists to provide the highest level of fire prevention through public education, inspection and code enforcement and detailed plan review to ensure that properties and buildings are properly constructed in accordance with local and state requirements. Fire Prevention Bureau personnel strive to provide the communities we serve with the most updated information available to safely maintain your home or place of business from fire and hazards.

The Fire Prevention Bureau provides in-depth services to our citizens who live or work in the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg, San Pablo, Walnut Creek, including the unincorporated communities of north Alamo, Bay Point, Clyde, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Montalvan Manor, North Richmond, Pacheco and Tara Hills. The Fire Prevention Bureau also serves the East Contra Costa Fire District under contract, providing fire prevention services for the cities of Brentwood, Oakley and the unincorporated communities of Bethel Island, Byron and Discovery Bay.

Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Fire Prevention Bureau has five main divisions: Fire Investigation, Code Enforcement and Inspection, Engineering and Plan Review, Public Education, and Exterior Hazard Control.

• The Engineering and Plan Review Division is staffed with one Prevention Captain, Three (two-full coverage and two at part time with Code Enforcement) Fire Inspectors, and two Fire Prevention Technicians. This Division conducts plan reviews of proposed new construction projects, building remodels and land development projects throughout the Fire District, including the review of fire and life safety systems and their intended use and installation.

• The Code Enforcement and Inspection Division is staffed with one Prevention Captain and nine Fire Inspectors. This Division is responsible for inspecting existing businesses and properties for fire code violations and to educate occupants on the safe handling and proper storage of hazardous materials. The Code Enforcement and Inspection Division also conducts testing of fire and life safety systems such as fire sprinkler, fire alarm including inspections of outdoor events such as fairs, carnivals and fireworks displays.

• The Exterior Hazard Control Division (formerly known as the “Weed Abatement Division”) is staffed with one Fire Prevention Technician and 3 to 4 seasonal Fire Prevention Specialists. This Division inspects both public and private properties for unabated hazardous and/or combustible fuels which would allow a fire to travel from property to property or to structures. The Exterior Hazard Control Division insures that property owners maintain a “defensible space” around their property that would allow firefighters to effectively stop fires from spreading from open space areas to homes and properties.

• The Public Education Division is staffed with one Fire Education Coordinator and 5 - 7 Fire Prevention Specialists. The Public Education Division provides numerous programs intended to promote and teach fire safety to all ages. Our Public Education personnel are trained to provide a large range of programs from teaching kindergarteners how to “Stop, Drop and Roll” to assisting senior citizens how to recognize and eliminate hazards in their home. Our Public Education Division also provides intervention for children and families on how to curb juvenile fire setting behavior.

• The Fire Investigation Division is staffed with one Supervising Inspector, two full-time Arson Investigators, and receives backup support from our Fire Inspectors. The Investigations Division is responsible for determining the origin and cause of fires and the investigations of fire related incidents.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has adopted the 2007 California Fire Code with amendments and the 2007 California Building Code, along with nationally recognized standards such as NFPA. We work closely with local building officials to ensure that construction projects receive the attention to detail relating to fire and life safety that the citizens of Contra Costa County have come to expect.

Some cities in the County have adopted specific ordinances relative to the installation of automatic fire sprinklers in homes. The cities of Brentwood and Lafayette, and also the unincorporated communities of Contra Costa County, have adopted residential fire sprinkler ordinances mandating the installation of automatic sprinkler systems when the closest fire station is in excess of 1˝ miles from the home. In addition, in rural areas not served by a water district, fire sprinklers are required in all homes, along with a water tank for water supply.

From answering the questions of a wide-eyed seven-year old to ensuring the safety of a convalescent home, to oil refineries, electrical generating plants and the exotic and sometimes toxic world of chemical manufacturing facilities, we seek to provide the highest level of quality fire safety service to the citizens who live, work and visit our communities.