Menlo Park Fire Protection District

 

Fire Prevention

Program Overview

The Fire Prevention (FP) Program is responsible for reviewing all plans for new construction and significant building improvements to ensure compliance with fire and life safety standards. The program conducts inspections of all permitted construction projects throughout the building process, from start to finish. It also develops and presents fire codes for adoption by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). Additionally, the program provides educational initiatives aimed at mitigating the risks of accidents and injuries. 

Management Oversight

The FP Program is led by the Division Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, with oversight provided by the Assistant Fire Marshal. The program is staffed by 10 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, including management, fire inspectors, and administrative staff who support the department's functions. Additionally, the program’s expenses include costs for general equipment, subscription-based services, contract services, and miscellaneous supplies required to carry out fire prevention activities.

Goals and Objectives

  • Conduct timely reviews of all building plans to ensure compliance with fire and life safety standards.
  • Inspect all stages of construction and fire protection systems to ensure adherence to safety regulations.
  • Oversee fire company inspections and manage referrals as necessary.
  • Inspect and permit the use and storage of hazardous materials to ensure safety and compliance.
  • Investigate the cause and origin of building fires to determine safety risks and prevent future incidents.

FY 2023-24 Accomplishments

  • Successfully completed the integration of the e-Permit Hub within Accela for streamlined internal plan reviews and enhanced customer service.
  • Installed Air-tags on Fire District Knox Keys to improve accountability and tracking.
  • Completed 100% of the California State-mandated inspections.
  • Furnished the staff front reception area with new office furniture.
  • Successfully hired and trained two new Fire Inspector/Investigators.

FY 2024-25 Program Initiatives

  • Develop a comprehensive onboarding and training program for new Fire Inspectors/Investigators.
  • Transition the inspection program to Image Trend for improved efficiency and data management.
  • Move the Hazardous Materials (HazMat) program to Image Trend to streamline operations and compliance tracking.
  • Finalize the Permit Technician job description and complete the hiring process.
  • Develop 5-year and 10-year strategic plans for the Fire Prevention program.

Full-Time Equivalent Personnel

Program Expenditure Summary

Expenditure Analysis

  • Salaries: Salaries increased by $102,876 due to the inclusion of the budgeted salary for the Assistant Fire Marshal in the new fiscal year.

  • Stipends: Stipends increased by $18,312, reflecting the inclusion of budgeted stipends for the Assistant Fire Marshal in the new fiscal year.

  • Retirement: This category includes the employer’s standard retirement contribution, annual payments for unfunded actuarial liability (UAL), excess UAL payments, and Medicare tax payments. The increase of $248,903 is due to the allocation of UAL annual and excess expenses to the employee program, as well as an increase in the normal retirement contribution rate.

  • Materials and Supplies: This includes general supplies, equipment, travel, conference registration, and membership/license fees. The decrease of $88,700 is due to a reduction in the need for office furniture replacement in the new fiscal year.

  • Contract Services: This category covers expenses for training instructor services, consultant services, equipment maintenance, and other general contract services. The decrease of $128,915 is attributed to a reduction in general contract and consultant services related to special projects and permits systems in the new fiscal year.

  • Fixed Assets: Starting in FY2024-25, all fixed asset purchases will be reported in the Capital Improvement Projects Fund. The fixed asset expenditure request for the current year includes the purchase of a new i-Plan table for plan reviews.