I’m very flattered by the many invitations to speak a various virtual graduations this year, and very sorry to say I’m unable to accommodate everyone. I did however, want to say something generally to all those men and women graduating from a trade school, and, to those high school graduates, about to enter one. If you know someone in either category, (and even if you don’t) I’d be grateful if you’d share this.
CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CALFIRE WEBSITE TO VIEW LETTER
April 3, 2020
Dear Stakeholder, Industry Associations, Local Government Partners and Cooperating Agencies:
As the COVID-19 emergency continues to evolve, fire departments and fire protection contractors must ensure fire prevention and life safety systems and equipment are in working order. These systems and products are essential functions in safeguarding the public, businesses and institutions.
The CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) regulations continue to be in effect and relevant deadlines apply. The California Fire Code, California Building Code, California Code of Regulations Title 19 and Federal Regulations remain in effect. We are actively evaluating the longterm options for our licensing renewal deadlines, and other statutory and regulatory timelines. Given the circumstance, we are exercising reasonable accommodations and increased coordination when it comes to enforcing the various requirements and inspections. We recommend local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to do the same, as these regulations are essential.
The OSFM recommends the following guidance from the National Fire Protection Association:
• All commercial and multi-occupancy residential buildings should maintain fully operational fire and life safety systems as required in law and/or regulations.
• Building owners and managers should adhere to the expected schedules for inspection, testing, and maintenance.
• Public and private contractors and employees who perform the inspection, maintenance and other responsibilities for these systems are deemed essential workers.
The entire OSFM staff is working to ensure the continuity of operations and government throughout this dynamic event, while protecting the health of our employees and the public we serve. Please feel free to contact our office if you should have questions or if clarification is needed.
For COVID-19 updates, Information Bulletins, and State and National guidance, you may also reference our website at OSFM.fire.ca.gov/OSFM-COVID-19.
Best regards,
MICHAEL RICHWINE
Acting State Fire Marshal
CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal
Live Fire Extinguisher and Fire Safety Training- Education about fire safety and the proper use of fire extinguishers is essential and requirement by OSHA, state and local laws to be in full compliance. For any number of employees – from 1 to 1,000 we will work with you to customize a training solution that meets your company’s needs.
Fast acting hero’s used fire extinguishers to push back a raging car fire just long enough to pull out a trapped woman saving her life. This dramatic dash-cam video shows the accident and the flames almost overtaking the woman and the car. The heros using fire extinguishers pussed back the flames just long enough for the team to grab the woman and bring her to safety!! Always a good idea to keep a keep a fire extinguisher in your car!
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KGO) —
Cooler, but stronger winds could work for or against firefighters battling the Loma Fire. The flames are centered on Loma Prieta, the tallest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Evacuations were lifted Wednesday afternoon for all Santa Cruz County residents, but road closures remain in effect for non-residents.
Firefighters have sent in reinforcements for the fire.
“We were at 500 on Monday, yesterday we were at 800, today we’re over 1,000. It doesn’t matter what patch is on the side of a person’s fire engine or a uniform. It’s a single fire service and it’s a single mission to fight this fire,” said CAL FIRE Battalion Chief Jonathan Cox.