HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 03072000 - D.3 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ;
FROM: SUPERVISOR GAYLE B. UILKEMA Contra
DATE:: March 7, 2000 CostaCounty
SUBJECT: Prevention of residential fires and increase level of fire safety through Contra Costa County
SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
R OMM NDADON:
1. Request that the fire agencies throughout Contra Costa County meet to examine the level of fire safety available countywide
and explore methods of preventing fire deaths.
2. Refer to County Counsel and the fire protection districts the question of whether there is an appropriate way to inspect smoke
detectors or to inspect residential dwellings for the presence of detectors.
3. Determine if we can continue and expand the previous fire district program of installing residential smoke detectors and other
life and property protection safety devices.
4. Explore with the county fire services,firefighter organizations and other interested parties/organizations how we may ensure
that appropriate home safety devices can be widely distributed and available to enhance fire safety.
& Have county fire protection agencies provide a report to the Board on April 18, 2000 advising the Board on what measurers
are both available and capable of being implemented to improve fire safety and prevent fire deaths.
BACKGROUND: See attached
CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: v YES SiCNATU �
RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE
APPROVE OTHER
SIGNATURE: GAYLE 8.UILKEMA
ACTION OF BOARD ON March7, &0 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER
The following persons presented 'testimony:
Keith Richter, Chief, Contra Costa County Fire Protection Districts
Dennis Salmi, Chief, Rodeo-Hercules Fire District;
Jim Johnston, Chief, Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District;
Lou Paulson, 112 Blueridge Drive, Martinez, representing the United Professional
Firefighters, Local 1230.
VOTE OF SUPERVISORS
I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD
ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN.
ATTESTED March 7, 2000
Phil Batchelor,Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
BY � ,DEPUTY
Background:
The three recent residential fires in Contra Costa County that resulted in five deaths
should be a reminder to take every measure possible to prevent such tragedies in the
future. The Board should act proactively by exploring all possible fire safety and
prevention techniques to insure that preventable fire deaths are not repeated in
Contra Costa County.
One such fire safety device Is the smoke detector. By law, smoke detectors are
required on new homes constructed in California. Also, when a house is rented or
sold state law requires that a smoke detector be installed In every bedroom. These
devices, when installed and In operating order, prevent deaths when there is a house
fire Unfortunately, all houses are not equipped with smoke detectors, because they
fall outside of the current provisions of law(new, rental or resale). Moreover, many
smoke detectors which have been installed over the years are either not wired to
electric lines or do not have batteries which operate (old batteries).
Every year, firefighters donate smoke detectors to approximately 300 low-income
residents. However, there are many other homes in Contra Costa County that either
do not have a smoke detector or have one with old batteries.
Last September we introduced a concept which statedthat automatic gas shut-off
valves on new and substantially remodeled homes be required. This ordinance will
be coming to the Board in a couple of weeks and also addresses the Issue of
residential fire safety.
With respect to the smoke detector, we may wish to enact an ordinance, similar to
the San Pablo, El Cerrito and Richmond City ordinances, which requires home safety
inspections in all rentals within their jurisdiction. Perhaps it might be wise to go
further and require a home inspection in all resales as well (although a declaration
form covers re-sales). However, home inspections can be broadened beyond state
requirements to cover other home safety devices or recommendations for home
safety devices, such as gas valves, circuit breakers, smoke detector batteries, fire
extinguishers and carbon monoxide sniffers.
Our countywide fire districts have had a great deal of experience with a variety of
devices and techniques for home safety. A meeting between the fire officials with a
charge to advise the Board as to how Contra Costa county's fire safety could be
enhanced and how the Board could further the goal of residential fire safety.
I believe it is imperative to take all of the means at our disposal to prevent the tragic
type of death that occurred in the recent Rodeo, Richmond and Concord fires. I am
sure you will agree with me that not only do our hearts go out to the friends and
relatives of the fire victims, but we also make it possible thatthe victims' lives are
remembered with an action by this Board.