PAJARO VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Cooperative Fire Protection Provided by CAL FIRE                        

Fire Prevention

Fire Education

 

Fire Protection Planning /Fire Marshalls Office

Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District in conjunction with the Santa Cruz County Fire Marshalls office provides fire protection planning services within the Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District and the un-incorporated areas of Santa Cruz County.

 The fire marshal’s office performs plan reviews and inspections pursuant to Titles 19, 24 and 25 of the California Code of Regulations.  This includes plan review of building plans along with water tanks, hydrants, sprinkler systems and alarms for both commercial and residential occupancies.  The office also performs annual and licensing inspections required by Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations.  These inspections include schools within the Pajaro Valley Unified School District and also licensed day cares. 

        For more information and downloadable forms visit:

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

· School “fire safe” presentations

· Smokey Bear guest appearances

· Fire station Tours Available by appointment

Fire Safety

Smoke Alarms

· Install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home, even the basement.

· Install a smoke alarm outside every sleeping area. Ideally, install smoke alarms in every sleeping area, too.

· Test smoke alarms monthly.

· Change the batteries at least once a year-maybe at Daylight Savings Time or on your birthday.

· Teach children what your smoke alarm sounds like and what to do if they hear it-get out and crawl low under smoke.

· Never disable a smoke alarm (like for cooking smoke). Consider alarms with hush buttons.

· Never remove a smoke alarm battery for some other use, like a radio or video game.

· Keep smoke alarms clean. Vacuum them often.

· Replace smoke alarms after 10 years.

 

Escape Plans

· Make and practice a fire escape plan.

· Plan for two ways to escape from each room.

· Plan for everyone in your home-including babies and others who need help to escape.

· Pick a place to meet after you escape to check that everyone got out.

· Practice your escape plan every month.

· Practice getting out with your eyes closed, crawling low to the floor.

· Involve children in making and practicing your escape plan.

· Teach children to never hide during a fire-they must get out and stay out.

· Clear toys, boxes, and other debris from exits.

· Check that windows open easily. Fix any that stick.

· Be sure that security bars on doors and windows have a quick-release latch, and everyone knows how to open them.

· Never open a door that feels hot. Escape another way.

· Escape first, then call for help.

 

Get out stay out

· In a fire, get out right away. Don't pause to gather belongings.

· Teach children not to hide, but to get out right away.

· Escape first, then call for help.

· Never go back into a burning home for any reason.

· If someone is missing, tell the firefighters.

 

Burning Rules and Regulations

There are two types of burning allowed in Santa Cruz County regulated by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control Board (www.mbuapcd.com).  At any time should any fire escape your control, you will be held accountable and should expect to pay a fine for cost recovery.   The two types are as follows:

Agricultural Burning  -  Permit Required

To qualify for an agricultural burn permit the following must pertain:  The fire must be used for the purpose of initiating, continuing or maintaining agriculture as a gainful occupation.  Fuels are limited to materials grown on site and shall not include feed or fertilizer containers, finished or treated wood, plastic or rubber products, plumage, hides, fur, offal or fecal material or refuse from plant or animal processing other than from initial crop harvesting, pruning, or attrition of fruit an nut trees, vine and cane crops. 

If you live within the Pajaro Valley Fire District and wish to obtain a burn permit, you may come to the fire station and the Chief may issue you one at no charge, provided you meet the criteria set forth in the above stated paragraph. 

Permits for agricultural burns typically will be issued as follows:

In State Responsibility Areas permits may be issued between the months of Dec.1 thru April 30 without an inspection, and possibly between April 30 thru Dec.1 for a two week period with an inspection (pending fire season weather).

In Local Responsibility Area permits may be issued for an entire year without an inspection

Backyard Burning  -  No Permit Required

Backyard burning season is regulated by the declaration of the end of fire season.  Once deemed safe by Cal Fire, backyard burning will be allowed.  The date that typically coincided with this is Dec. 1.  Be sure to contact the proper authorities prior to burning to be certain that burn season has been open. 

Backyard burning is for non-agricultural properties and permit persons to burn yard trimmings, clippings or pruning's grown on their property.  Under no circumstances are the burning of trash, processed or painted lumber, plastics or other non grown products allowed to be burned at any time.

 

ALL TYPES OF BURNING MUST ABIDE BY THE FOLLOWING RULES

· Piles should be no larger that 4’x 4’

· Water must be available and at the burn site

· An adult shall be in attendance at all times

· Burning shall be during daylight hours ONLY

· A tool shall be with the attendee (shovel or rake)

· Piles will be surrounded by a ten foot circle cut to bare mineral soil

· Burning is allowed only on burn days referred to as “Yes” or “Permissive” burn days regulated by MBUAPCB.  To find out if a day is a Yes or No burn day call:

                                         1-800-CAL-BURN