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 nine 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.

Program 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 2024-25 Accomplishments

  • Finalized the Menlo Park and East Palo Alto Safety Elements.
  • Completed Response Annexes.
  • Finished training for the transition to Image Trend's inspection program.
  • Achieved 100% completion of state-mandated inspections.
  • Launched Notify@menlofire.gov for road closure notifications.
  • Hired a new Fire Marshal and Fire Inspectors.

FY 2025-26 Program Initiatives

  • Complete the district-wide Opticom upgrade.
  • Create a thorough onboarding and training program for new Fire Inspectors/Investigators.
  • Develop 5-year and 10-year strategic plans for the Fire Prevention program.

Full-Time Equivalent Personnel

Program Expenditure Summary

Expenditure Analysis

Salaries: This request includes funding for regular salaries, annual leave, holiday pay, leave cash-outs, workers' compensation, and other paid leave benefits. The decrease in expenditures is primarily due to several staffing changes in the current fiscal year. These changes include the anticipated retirement of the current Fire Marshal, leading to a reduction in salary expenses, as well as a restructuring of the Fire Marshal position's salary. Additionally, the transfer of the Administrative Specialist position to the District Administration program has further contributed to the decrease in overall personnel costs.

 

Stipends: This request includes funding for specialty pay, career development pay, phone stipends, residency stipends, and uniform allowance stipends. An increase of $31,722 is primarily due to a fully loaded forecast of stipends for vacant positions. Additionally, most of the stipends are linked to the general wage increase in salaries.

 

Retirement: This request includes the standard employer’s retirement contribution, the annual payment for the unfunded actuarial liability (UAL), UAL excess payments, and Medicare tax payments. A decrease of $103,106 is primarily due to staffing changes in the current fiscal year. These changes include the anticipated retirement of the current Fire Marshal, which results in a reduction in retirement expenses. Additionally, the transfer of the Administrative Specialist position to the District Administration program has further contributed to the overall decrease in retirement costs.

 

Contract services: This request includes funding for training instructor services, consultant services, general equipment maintenance services, and general contract services. A decrease of $159,848 is anticipated, primarily due to a reduction in contract and consultant services related to special projects and permit systems in the upcoming fiscal year. This decrease reflects the completion of several key projects, which will reduce the need for external consultants and contractors, as well as a shift toward utilizing in-house resources for ongoing tasks and maintenance.

 

Fixed assets:  All fixed asset purchases will be reported in the Capital Improvement Projects Fund. There are no fixed asset expenditure requests for the current year.