FIRE DEPARTMENT
FY 2025-26 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE
SUPPLEMENTAL
ATTACHMENT A: A-1
INTER OFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: Jestin Johnson, City Administrator
FROM: Damon Covington, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: Supplemental Report– Responses to May 27, 2025 FMC Questions Regarding Fire Department Master Fee Schedule Updates for FY 2025-26
DATE: May 29, 2025
Fire Department Master Fee S chedule updates were presented to the Finance Management Committee at the Committee’s May 27th meeting. This report is in response to follow up question requested by City Council Committee members about specific fee types.
• Fire Inspector Follow U p of a False Alarm Incident Fee: Councilmember Ramachandran asked how these False Fire Alarm follow -ups are dispatched. The normal process is for a Fire Alarm, the alarm co mpany contacts Fi re Dispatch Center ( FDC) and the F ire Dispatcher will dispatch the appropriate engine or truck company to respond to the scene.
These are typically Commer cial or Multi-F amily R esidential structures. The engine company initial response does not trigger any fee. If, upon arrival at the alarm site, it turns out to be a false alarm, the en gine company will check if the alarm has been reset or is working properly. If i t is not reset or working properly, the engine company will make a referral to Fire Prevention Bureau. An inspector will then be schedule d to make a verification inspection. If the alarm remains offline, the inspector will manually res et or troubleshoot, and the “Fire Inspector Follow Up of a False Alarm Fee” will trigger.
• State Mandated Inspections (SMIs) – Counci lmember Ramachandran asked about what type of facilities /structures these S tate Mandated Inspections apply to. State M andated annual inspections may apply to the following facilities:
1. Residential Occupancies : R -1 Hotels/Motels ; R-2 Apt Bldgs.; R-2.1 Residential care facilities; R-3.1 Assisted living facilities; R-4 Adult and childcare facilities
2. Educational and Institutional Occupancies: E : Public and P rivate Schools; I-2 Hospitals, Nursing Homes; I-3 Detention facilities
3. H High-Rise Buildings
The proposed rate for State Mandated Inspections ($457) will supersede the hourly inspection rate ($381) for those facility types with the exception of Hi gh-Rise Buildings and Educational facilities, which have an adjusted annual inspection flat fee of $991 and covers up to 3 inspections.
• Combustible Liquids/Compressed Gases Permit Fees : Councilmember Wang also had a question about Combustible Liquids/Compressed Gases Permit Fees increasing from $249 to $1051. For safety reasons these operational permits require review by both an Inspector and a Fire Protection Engineer, particularly to ensure the operation is following rules on
To: Jestin Johnson, City Administrator
Supplemental Report – Fire Department Responses to May 28, 2025 FMC Questions Date: May 29, 2025 Page 2
storage location at a facility, and proximity to exits if enclosed. The r ate increase is proposed to accurately capture cost recovery of time spent on each perm it. There were 9 such permits issued in 2024, spec ifically of fee type: Compressed Gases (storage, use & handling of flammable and non- flammable compressed gases) . Common to i ndustrial customers, and could include cannabis butane extraction, port facilities, other facilities with CNG tanks.
DAMON COVINGTON
Fire Chief, Oakland Fire Department
For questions please contact:
Sean O’Shea
Fiscal & Administrative Services Division Manager
[email protected] 510-238-4055