Fire Prevention Division
Mission Statement
The mission of the Salt River Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division is to develop, implement and maintain programs for the members, residents, and employees of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community that will enhance their well-being and safety through the effective delivery of its various programs.
About the Fire Prevention Division
The Fire Prevention Division of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Fire Department exists to provide the highest level of fire prevention through public education, inspection, code compliance and fire investigation. Personnel responsible for the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Prevention Division consist of regularly assigned personnel and personnel whose primary responsibility is fire suppression. All personnel strive to provide the Community with the most updated information available to help Community members safely maintain their homes or places of business and prevent them from harm.
Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Fire Prevention Division has several responsibilities:
- Public Education
- Inspection Services
- Code Compliance
- Fire Investigations
- Special Services
From answering the questions of a wide-eyed child at the Early Childhood Enrichment Center to ensuring the safety of the residents of the Senior Home, members of the Salt River Fire Department – Fire Prevention Division seek to provide the highest level of quality fire and life safety service to the citizens who live, work and visit our Community.
Public Education
Salt River Fire Department believes that all members of the fire department are also responsible for public education. We strive to provide numerous programs intended to promote and teach fire and life safety to all ages. Our public education personnel are trained to provide a large range of programs from teaching kindergarteners how to “Stop, Drop and Roll” to assisting senior citizens with recognizing and eliminating hazards in their home. A unique aspect of our public education efforts is that we provide a program completely tailored to the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. It is based upon the National Fire Protection Association’s Risk Watch Program with an emphasis on traditional and cultural considerations. Learn more about the Risk Watch Program …
Despite a long-term downward trend, the United States continues to have one of the highest fire death rates per capita in the world. Part of the reason for this is the lack of adequate public fire education nationwide. It is a proven fact that educating the public in matters of fire and life safety reduces casualties.
Juvenile Fire Setter Program:
Another aspect of the public education efforts is our Juvenile Fire Setter Program. It is normal for a child to be curious about fire. Children want to learn about the world around them. Just because your child is curious about fire does not mean there is something wrong with him/her. But when the interest becomes dangerous behavior, such as unsupervised experimentation with fire, intervention is essential. If you suspect that your child is lighting fires, playing with matches, lighters, fireworks, or has experimented with fire, even once, you need to take action. Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. The Juvenile Fire Setter Program provides intervention and education for children and families on how to curb juvenile fire setting behavior. To ensure our efforts are successful, the fire department partners with various other Community departments including; the Community schools, Health and Human Services, Community Relations and the Community court system. This program is designed to educate children about the dangers of fire. When you call the telephone number below, a one-on-one appointment will be made with your child and a custodial parent or guardian. Your family will be seen at one of our Fire Stations, whichever location is most convenient for you. The program is free of charge to those living in our Community.
Your child will learn why fire is dangerous for juveniles, how quickly fire spreads, what “arson” means, and the consequences of burns, i.e. the pain and lifetime scars. He/she will also learn that arson is a crime. An educational video will be shown appropriate to his/her age, and homework will be assigned for the child and family. Additional meetings will be scheduled, as needed, to reinforce the learning points presented and to answer any questions the child or family may have. Learn more about the Juvenile Fire Setter Program …
Other Public Education Programs: Simply stated, our goal is that all of our citizens, from pre-school children to senior citizens, learn the proper action to take in a sudden fire or life emergency. We have a number of programs and tools to accomplish this goal. We are committed that not one more citizen in our Community suffers a fire injury or death due to lack of knowledge or preparation.
Programs/classes offered:
- Stop, Drop and Roll
- Exit Drills in the Home
- Water Safety
- Puppet Program
- Safety Through Clowning
- Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (Basic and Advanced)
- First Aid Training
- Automatic External Defibrillator
- Matches / Lighter Safety
- Smoke Detector Familiarization / Installation
- Fire Extinguisher Familiarization and Use
Inspection Services
Salt River Fire Department is responsible for inspecting all new construction, building remodels, existing businesses and properties to ensure the occupancies are safe from hazards. We conduct inspections of all new fire and life safety systems as they are installed and conduct periodic inspections of all existing fire and life safety systems. To ensure safety, we conduct inspections at most major Community special events. We are directly involved in the approval of all Special Use Permits within the Community and are the primary approval for all fireworks displays. Our partners for inspection services include, but are not limited to, Engineering and Construction Services, Public Works and numerous contractors.
Services Offered:
- All Phases of New Construction
- Tenant Improvements/ Remodeling
- Residential Inspections (voluntary and/or in partnership with Housing)
- Special Inspections
Code Compliance
In order to ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards for fire and life safety, the Salt River Fire Department has trained and certified fire inspectors. Fire Prevention personnel are trained to provide business operators with the latest information on all aspects of providing a safe environment including the safe handling and storage of hazardous materials, proper use of electrical devices, the maintenance of exit pathways, and the maintenance and testing of fire and life safety devices to name just a few.
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community has adopted the International Fire Code to include local amendments specific to the needs of the Community, to ensure the safety of its members, residents, and visitors. We work closely with the building officials to ensure that all construction projects receive the attention to detail relating to fire and life safety that the citizens of this Community have come to expect.
Services Offered
- Code Research
- Code Study
- Residential Inspections (voluntary and/or in partnership with Housing)
- Special Inspections
Fire Investigation Services
The Salt River Fire Department has a duty and responsibility to determine the origin and cause of fires and to investigate the circumstances leading up to and causing a fire related incident. The duties and responsibilities regarding Fire Investigation include: conducting interviews of suspects, victims and witnesses; sifting through fire debris to determine the origin of the fire; identifying possible ignition sources; collect and preserve physical evidence; document the fire scene with sketches and photographs; give expert witness testimony and present evidence in court; and respond to fire and/or rescue emergencies as required.
Community involvement is critical to solving cases of arson. You can make a difference. If you choose to call the Arson Hotline (1-800-35-ARSON), don’t worry if you think the information you have seems too little or unimportant. Also, you can remain anonymous. Some of our best tips come from people who were not aware that what they saw was really very important to the investigation of an incident. Across the U.S. in 2002, there were an estimated 131,000 intentional (arson) structure and vehicle fires. These fires resulted in 730 civilian deaths, 2,200 civilian injuries and $2.2 billion in direct property damage. Every year in early May, the United States Fire Administration, a division of the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency recognizes national Arson Awareness Week across the United States.
Special Services
Wildland / Urban Interface Fire Risk Assessment: In addition to working with the businesses, Salt River Fire Department conducts an annual Wildland / Urban Interface Fire Risk Assessment. Because of our, largely agricultural area, we need to ensure that any wildland fires that occur do not adversely affect any homes and/or businesses. Members of the fire department inspect both public and private property for unabated hazardous and/or combustible fuels which would allow a fire to travel from the wildland/brush areas to residences and structures. We educate the property owners to create a “defensible space” of at least 20 feet around their property that would allow firefighters to stop a a fire from spreading to their homes or business from an open space area. The Fire Department works closely with the Housing Division for all issues regarding private residences.
Home Fire Safety Kits: The Salt River Fire Department, in partnership with the SR Health and Human Services, has developed the Home Fire Safety Kit Program. This program directly benefits the elderly and disabled member of the Community. A Home Fire Safety Kit contains the following items to assist in providing a fire safe home:
- One (1) portable fire extinguisher
- One (1) smoke detector with a 10 year lithium battery
- Two (2) FireStop Automatic Fire Extinguishers
- Additional smoke detectors to ensure proper protection
Members of the Salt River Fire Department will properly install the portable fire extinguisher, all smoke detectors and the FireStop Automatic Fire Extinguishers in the home of any elderly or disable member of the Community. In exchange for us providing the fire safety items, we ask that the recipient allow us to conduct a Home Safety Inspection and we will assist them in completing a Home Fire Evacuation Plan. Additionally, we are able to provide educational information regarding Fire Safety for Elders.
Community Members can request additional information on the Home Fire Safety Kit Program by contacting us at 480.850.8239.
Note: Due to funding restrictions, supplies of the Home Fire Safety Kits are limited
Safe Steps Program: Upon request from an elderly person or a family member of an elderly person, the Salt River Fire Department will conduct an evaluation of the residence to ensure that all tripping and/or fall hazards in the home are identified. Additionally, we will work with the resident to minimize any trip or fall hazards in the home.
Workplace Safety: Emergency Evacuation for Businesses