Fresno Fire Department Prevention and Investigative Services Division
Kerri Donis
Deputy Chief
Prevention Services:
The Prevention section has been involved in fire inspections and education for more than 86 years. In the past, the Prevention Division was staffed by only firefighters who conducted fire inspections. Today, sworn civilians staff the Prevention Division and conduct fire and life safety inspections, educational outreach programs, and new construction inspections, with the assistance of firefighters on engine and truck companies.
Fire prevention has proven to be the most effective way to reduce fire losses through education, engineering and enforcement.
Education: Each year, over 28,000 students, grades first through third, are reached through the Fire Prevention School Education Program.
Engineering: The Prevention section has incorporated several fire safety systems requirements into the Fresno Municipal Code, such as fire sprinklers, fire alarms, standpipes, and photoluminescent exit path marking. Those requirements include several reviews in the plan review process.
Enforcement: The City of Fresno has over 18,000 commercial and/or multi-family occupancies which are inspected either annually or biannually. These inspections also occur on all new construction within the City.
Investigative Services:
The Investigations Division conducts Department investigations involving Fire Incidents, Pre-Employment Background Candidates, and Professional Standards Violations. The Deputy Fire Marshal is the Department’s Terrorism Liaison Officer-Coordinator with the Regional Terrorism Threat Assessment Center.
The Juvenile Fire Prevention Program (JFEP) is also under the direction of the Investigations section. The JFEP Coordinator schedules appointments with youth and their parents to educate them on the importance of fire safety. Over 100 children go through the JFEP program annually.
Photoluminescent Exit Path Markings Ordinance - in pdf format
Inspection Check List - in pdf format
Inspection Fee Schedule - in pdf format