City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 11, 2022 FROM: FIRE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT A COMPLIANCE REPORT ON THE STATUS OF ALL STATE-MANDATED ANNUAL FIRE INSPECTIONS AS OUTLINED IN CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 1205 ISSUE:
Adopt a Resolution to accept a compliance report on the status of all State-Mandated annual fire inspections in the City of Riverside as outlined in California Senate Bill 1205 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution to accept a compliance report on the status of all State-Mandated annual fire inspections in the City of Riverside as outlined in California Senate Bill 1205 and California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
On September 27, 2018, SB 1205 became effective, and added a new section to the California Health and Safety Code. This new bill also requires every fire department or district to annually report to its administering authority their compliance with the annual inspection requirements of the California Health and Safety Code. The bill also requires the administering authority to formally acknowledge receipt of the compliance report in a resolution or a similar formal document. The report made pursuant to subdivision (a) shall occur when the administering authority discusses its annual budget, or at another time determined by the administering authority.
BACKGROUND:
The Calendar Year (CY) 2020 Council report showed the State-Mandated occupancies were 48% complete for Education Occupancies and 33% for Residential Occupancies. In CY 2021 the Fire Department completed 78% of the Education Occupancies and 89% for Residential Occupancies.
DISCUSSION:
Annual fire inspections help mitigate known hazards, reduce community risk, and ensure reasonable compliance with the California Fire Code. Inspections review and confirm proper maintenance of fire protection systems, effective egress systems, damage to fire protective construction and sufficient site access to Fire Department personnel.
The Health and Safety Code requires an inspection rate of 100% for compliance. The Riverside Fire Department was unable to meet the State requirements for the second consecutive year.
A combined total of 9244 fire inspections were scheduled for CY 2021: 2649 annual State-Mandated inspections (88% combined completion), 4145 other occupancy types (35% complete), and 2450 new construction inspections (100% complete).
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 - Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.6, to strengthen community preparedness for emergencies to ensure effective response and recovery.
This item aligns with each of the Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – By adopting the attached resolution, acknowledging the efficiency of the Fire Department’s State-Mandated fire inspection program, the City of Riverside is demonstrating transparency and commitment in meeting State-Mandates.
Equity – The entire community benefits from a safe community where known fire hazards are mitigated reducing risk to all.
Fiscal Responsibility – The California Health and Safety Code Section 13146.4 and RMC 2.28.170 allow for cost recovery in performing fire inspections. The 2015 fee schedule is currently being utilized; an updated fee schedule was completed in 2021 and presented to staff for review.
Innovation – The City of Riverside has adopted current Building and Fire codes with local amendments meeting international standards.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The Fire Inspection program directly correlates to the Strategic Plan Action Item 2.5.2: Foster relationships by providing and promoting services that increase the well-being of our residents and increase safety awareness. Pursue programs that increase safe and thriving environments that positively impact residents.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Prepared by: La Wayne Hearn, Interim Fire Chief
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assist. City Manager Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachments: Resolution
SB 1205 ● Page 3