CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
March 19, 2024 {{section.number}}e
ADOPTION OF “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORONADO, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE 2023 CALENDAR YEAR STATE MANDATED FIRE INSPECTION COMPLIANCE REPORT FROM THE CORONADO FIRE DEPARTMENT" RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution acknowledging receipt of the 2023 calendar year state mandated fire inspections report.
BACKGROUND:
Existing State law requires California fire departments to enforce the Fire Code as adopted. As such, fire departments are required to perform annual inspections of every building used as a public or private school, as well as all apartment houses, hotels, motels, lodging houses, and jails/detention facilities for compliance with adopted Fire Codes.
On December 2, 2016, the deadly Ghost Ship Fire occurred in Oakland, California. This fire struck in a warehouse that had been converted into an artist collective, where the tenants lived and worked. Ultimately, 36 people lost their lives in the fire. In response to the Ghost Ship Fire, a series of investigative reports and articles revealed that many of the required fire and life safety inspections were not being performed by the local fire department. To provide assurances that fire departments are performing the mandated inspection duties, SB 1205 was authored requiring the reporting of certain inspection statistics to the local governing board. This bill passed and was signed by the Governor in September 2018 and is codified in California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
This report and resolution are being submitted to comply with the reporting requirements of California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4. The report is for inspections completed during the 2023 calendar year.
ANALYSIS:
The Coronado Fire Department maintains a well-established program dedicated to conducting fire and life safety inspections across various occupancy classifications. Note that single or twofamily properties are not routinely inspected by the department. In the 2023 calendar year, fire personnel successfully conducted 312 inspections, encompassing mandatory inspections of tents, public fireworks displays, hazard complaints, commercial occupancies, and inspections required by the State. The total number of inspections is steadily rising with an 85% completion rate for total state-mandated inspections.
In February 2023, the Fire Department hired one civilian fire prevention aide tasked with inspecting all Residential R-2 mandated properties. This strategic addition resulted in the successful completion of inspections for 94% of these residential properties. Going forward, Fire Department personnel will continue their commitment by conducting the remaining mandated inspections as stipulated by the California Health and Safety Code. Additionally, non-mandated inspections will be carried out in accordance with department policy.
The next compliance report for calendar year 2024 will be provided in February/March 2025. This schedule aligns with the annual report coordination within the budget process and ensures compliance with the stipulations of California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
The following table summarizes the number of mandated inspections completed in calendar year 2023, by occupancy type:
Occupancy Type Example Quantity Complete
Educational E Schools (public and private) 12 2
Institutional I-3 Jails/Detention Facilities 1 1
Residential R-1 Hotels / Motels 17 3
Residential R-2 Apartment / Condos 281 263
FISCAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with the required inspections and reporting consist of staff time. The California Health and Safety Code specifically explains that the inspecting fire department may charge and collect a fee which shall be in an amount enough to pay the costs of that inspection or related fire and life safety activities. Currently, the City does not charge a fee associated with the completion of these State mandated inspections.
ALTERNATIVE:
Reject the report and return it to the Fire Services Department with direction from Council.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution No. 2024-11
Submitted By: Fire Services Department / Jayson Summers