Los Angeles County Fire Department

"Our mission is to educate the community about the benefits of proper safety practices and identify and eliminate all types of hazardous conditions which pose a threat to life, the environment and property."

Assistant Fire Chief Mark Nelson
Fire Marshal
County Of Los Angeles

Communities throughout the United States have looked to their Fire Department to provide valuable services for their citizens in a myriad of disciplines. These disciplines are essential for communities to develop, grow and prosper. The communities that make up the client base for the Los Angeles County Fire Department enjoy the best services in the world. This Department is world renown and a leader in cutting edge technologies encompassing the operational arena as well as support services. An essential component of this service that the Department provides to our customers in the communities we serve is Fire Prevention.

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The Fire Prevention Division focuses on educating the community about the benefits of proper safety practices and identifying and eliminating all types of hazardous conditions, which pose a threat to life, the environment and property.

The Division is under the command of an Assistant Fire Chief designated as the Department’s Fire Marshal. The Fire Prevention Division presently has a total of 157 personnel. The Fire Prevention Division’s five sections are organized to provide the highest quality customer service to fulfill the Department’s mission.

The Fire Department covers a diverse and unique area of responsibilities as related to Fire Prevention. Widespread and diverse activities of commercial, industrial and residential development and operations are processed and inspected. New processes and products must be analyzed and codes and inspections kept current. Numerous and widespread fires must be investigated and the information reentered into the system to update and improve the safety of the community and our personnel.

The Fire Prevention Division is comprised of the following sections:

REGIONAL UNITS I AND II

The Regional Units Sections are responsible for conducting plan checks for building, processes and fire extinguishing systems. They are required to attend meetings with Building and Safety officials, Federal, State, City and County officials; represent the Fire Prevention Division in District Attorney Hearings, court cases and appear before public hearings on business licenses.

The eDAPTs Unit (electronic Development and Permit Tracking System) provides tracking and status of all plans submitted and annual inspections Provides internet platform for the public to see status of projects or plans. This implemented program interfaces with several other County Departments.

SPECIAL UNITS I AND II SECTION

The Fire Prevention Special Units Section is comprised of seven separate specialized units:

Petroleum/Chemical Unit conducts fire safety inspections and issue permits for major plants manufacturing, using and storing hazardous materials and explosives.

Schools and Institutions Unit conducts annual fire/life safety inspections in all public, private, and parochial schools, private and community colleges, child day care centers, acute and convalescent care hospitals, surgery centers, outpatient dialysis clinics, residential care facilities, assisted living centers, adult day facilities, local detention facilities and jails, county detention camps, and organized church and school camps.

Fire Investigation Unit conducts investigations of major alarm fires and other fires to determine the cause or investigate suspected arson. They interview witnesses, collect evidence, write reports, and conduct training programs for Departmental personnel.

Codes & Ordinances Unit conducts research, answers requests for information and maintains the Department’s legal and historic library. They propose code changes to the Uniform Fire Code and Uniform Building Code and meet with architects and other government officials.

County Facilities Unit is responsible for plan check and field inspection activity for new construction projects for many of the 36 Los Angeles County Departments. They act as the Department’s liaison and/or represent county facilities outside of our jurisdiction, such as the Disney Concert Hall and the LAC-USC Medical Center reconstruction and addition.

ENGINEERING SECTION

The Fire Prevention Engineering Section consists of the following:

Building Plan Check Unit has the responsibilities of performing nonstructural fire safety plan review and approving architectural plans for various complex occupancies.

Fire Sprinkler Plan Check Unit is responsible for providing plan review service for all structures requiring an automatic fire sprinkler system, fire pump and on-site hydrants. They also review and approve all types of fire protection systems.

Fire Alarm Unit performs plan review services on all structures requiring a fire alarm or smoke management systems. They review and approve all types of fire alarm systems and assist with on-site inspections and testing of complex alarm and smoke management systems.

The Fire Prevention Division of this Department is considered one of the best in the world. The reason we are the best is because of the high caliber individuals that spend the extra effort to support the Department’s mission and the excellent leadership provided by the Fire Marshal.