Playing With Fire

Because SDFD is not completing all the state-mandated fire 16 inspections, there is an increased risk of loss of life and property in the event of a fire. Fact: SDFD reports its SB 1205 compliance in its adopted budget, published each July. Fact: The Mayor of San Diego releases the Proposed City Budget in April each year and the final budget is adopted by June 15.

Releasing inspection compliance at the conclusion of the budget cycle creates a delay in addressing CRR’s staffing and funding needs. Fact: Several fire departments in San Diego County publish an annual report detailing the services they provided during the previous year, e.g. inspections completed, public outreach events, and responses to emergency calls. Fact: SDFD does not publish this type of annual report, which means most citizens are not aware of the quantity and quality of service SDFD provides, nor their inspection completion rate.

The lack of published, accurate, and timely data reduces public awareness and support for SDFD. Fact: CRR does not hire non-firefighter inspectors due to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) contract language dating back to 2009. Fact: Non-firefighter, civilian inspectors are less costly and can be onboarded more quickly, since they would not need to graduate from the SDFD fire academy. Fact: Sworn firefighters within Operations are short-staffed, thus there is a limited pool to select from to become CRR inspectors.

Civilian inspectors could be a viable, lower-cost solution to the limited inspector staffing in CRR. Fact: SDFD typically conducts three academy classes annually. However, due to budget restrictions, only two academy classes are planned for this fiscal year. Fact: Since SDFD manages its own fire academy, any outside firefighter who wants to join SDFD must attend its academy and complete a one-year probationary period. Fact: It costs approximately $60,000 to recruit and graduate a firefighter from the SDFD academy. The firefighter must complete one year of probation and obtain specific certifications before being eligible for selection to Deputy Fire Marshal in CRR. Fact: In comparison, other fire agencies in San Diego County hire experienced “lateral transfers” if they meet certification and recent work experience criteria.

Due to bureaucratic obstacles and budgets limitations, annually there are not enough hired recruits to fully staff SDFD stations, let alone to transition firefighters into CRR inspector roles. Fact: SDFD does not collaborate with other City or County departments on their inspection inventory database. Fact: The inventory of inspectable properties increases as the City grows. Fact: Los Angeles’s Fire Prevention Bureau collaborates with the Los Angeles County Assessor and Los Angeles City Housing & Building departments to collect data on its inspection inventory database.

The inspection inventory database would be more accurate with increased coordination with other City and County departments. Fact: CRR does not regularly utilize overtime to complete state-mandated inspections. Fact: Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) solicits volunteers for an overtime-only residential inspection taskforce. The LAFD Fire Prevention Bureau (FPB) inspected over 56,000 multifamily residential buildings in 2023, which is a 100 percent completion rate. Fact: SDFD prefers to schedule appointments for inspections. CRR inspectors spend up to 70 percent of their work hours tracking down responsible parties and scheduling inspections or re-inspections. Fact: LAFD typically inspects properties with no advance warning, but some property owners request a scheduled appointment.

Use of overtime and revised scheduling procedures would improve CRR’s inspection completion and compliance rates. Fact: CRR inspectors must schedule their own inspections and re-inspections. Fact: CRR inspectors often must track down property owners using public search engines or utility billing records. Fact: There are very few administrative support staff to assist CRR inspectors. 18

It is neither efficient nor cost effective to have sworn firefighters performing logistical scheduling and billing legwork. Fact: CRR inspected only 75 percent of schools in FY2025. Fact: In prior fiscal years, CRR inspected as few as 40 percent of schools.

Uncompleted school inspections endanger students and staff in the event of an emergency.