San Bernardino County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Fire Regulations

Every person who willfully and maliciously sets on fire or who causes to be set on fire any grass, timber, underbrush, brushland, woodland or native desert vegetation, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by fine not exceeding $500.00 or by imprisonment in the County Jail not exceeding six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(a) Reward. The County of San Bernardino will pay a reward of not exceeding $500.00 and not less than $100.00 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person violating this Section.

(b) Eligibility for Reward. All officers and employees of the United States, the State of California, the County of San Bernardino, or of any incorporated city within the County, who are engaged in fire suppression or law enforcement activities are barred from receiving a reward under this Section.

(Ord. 870, passed - -1958)

A smoke detector, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal, pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 13114, shall be installed, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, in every existing single-family dwelling, manufactured home, and mobilehome intended for human occupancy.

(a) The owner of each single-family dwelling, manufactured home and mobilehome shall supply and install smoke detectors required by this Chapter in the locations and in the manner set forth in the manufacturer’s instructions, as approved by the State Fire Marshal’s regulations. Said installation shall be accomplished within 60 days of the effective date of this Section.

(b) The owner shall be responsible for testing and maintaining detectors. The smoke detector shall be operable at the time that a tenant takes possession. A tenant shall be responsible for notifying the owner if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable smoke detector within his or her dwelling. The owner or authorized agent shall correct any reported deficiencies in the smoke detector and shall not be in violation of this Section for a deficient smoke detector when he or she has not received notice of the deficiency.

(c) A violation of this Section shall be an infraction, punishable as provided in § 11.0201 of this Code.

(d) This Section shall not affect any rights which the parties may have under any other provisions of law because of the presence or absence of a smoke detector.

(a) Findings. The Board of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino hereby finds and determines:

(1) That the efficient and safe provision of fire protection services is one of the most important priorities and public functions within the County of San Bernardino.

(2) That such services are provided in an effective and professional manner by the existing fire protection districts, fire departments, community service districts and county service areas with fire powers within the County.

(3) That the formation and operation of fire companies, which may attempt to provide services without direction from, and coordination with, the established County fire agencies, may present a serious safety threat to the residents of the County, resulting in possible mismanagement of emergencies and in confusion to those who are seeking aid.

(4) That the operation of such fire companies can also jeopardize the safety of firefighters of agencies having jurisdiction, who respond to fires and other emergencies.

(b) Formation and continued operations of fire companies.

(1) Fire companies shall not be formed or allowed to continue to operate within the County of San Bernardino without approval of the Board of Supervisors.

(2) Prior to granting approval, the following criteria must be met:

(A) Submit an application for formation to the California Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Operational Area Coordinator where the establishment of the fire company is being proposed that identifies:

(I) The proposed boundaries of the fire company.

(II) The proposed call-taking and dispatching procedures.

(III) The proposed radio frequencies and letter of authorizations for use.

(B) If the proposed fire company is within the jurisdiction of an organized fire protection agency, a letter approving the formation of the fire company must be provided by the Fire Chief of the agency having jurisdiction.

(C) Must meet the requirements of Firefighting Resources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies (FIRESCOPE) and be eligible for issuance of a three letter designator.

(D) Must be recorded and tracked as an organized fire department through the State Office of Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Branch.

(E) Must be recognized by the State Fire Marshal and be eligible for issuance of a California All Incident Reporting System (CAIRS) number.

(F) Must submit a completed application that indicates compliance with all requirements to the County Fire Chief/Fire Warden for final approval by the County Board of Supervisors.

(3) In addition to the above-referenced criteria, the fire company must be fully qualified to provide fire protection services under applicable State and local laws and regulations. Such qualification considerations shall include, but not be limited to, training mandates, minimum staffing requirements, the existence of a respiratory protection program and blood born pathogen infection control program, proper dispatch frequency capability, properly equipped and mechanically sound fire apparatus, and Master Mutual Aid eligibility.

(4) That upon the recommendation of the Fire Chief/Fire Warden, the Board of Supervisors shall act upon the formation application of a fire company or a request for continued operation of a fire company. The decision of the Board of Supervisors shall be final.

(Ord. 4022, passed - -2007)