Fire Prevention Bureau Mission Goals
The goal of the Fire Prevention Bureau is to direct its resources to provide effective service delivery in the areas of public education, economic development of community fire protection, construction planning, fire protection system installation and use, fire code enforcement, and fire origin and cause investigation.
Fire Prevention Bureau Mission Objectives
Ensure that the Public Education Program reaches all segments of the community concerning the preservation of life and property.
Ensure that early contact is made with architects, engineers, and contractors on construction projects in order to prevent delay or undue cost, while enhancing the safety of the final project.
Provide liaison and consultation to industry locating in the Rincon Valley Fire District in order to clarify code requirements and options.
Promote increased installation of fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and special hazard protection systems as the first line of defense from fire propagation.
Provide fire code enforcement services that match the needs of the community.
Ensure expedient fire cause determination in order to analyze and positively affect loss control.
FIRE CODE
Rincon Valley Fire District adopted the 1994 Uniform Fire Code with Local Modifications on February 22, 1997. The 2000 Uniform Fire Code has since been adopted and an adoption review of the 2006 International Fire Code is underway.
The review of plans and specifications from new construction, modification, or rehabilitation of occupancies is a part of the code-enforcement process intended to ensure compliance with fire protection and life safety provisions of the Fire Code, as well as the Building Code. The Fire Marshal examines site plans, building construction plans, and fire protection system plans and may prepare recommendations or consult with individuals involved in building construction, remodeling, or renovations. The Fire Marshal regularly interacts with other public safety officials and agencies throughout the area of Vail, Pima County, and the State of Arizona to ensure the construction and maintenance of fire safe, code-conforming occupancies.
Rincon Valley Fire District provides Fire Marshal Services for Vail including all portions of the Town Boundaries outside of the Fire District. The Fire Marshal participates in pre-application and pre-construction conferences with owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and town or county staff officials. The Fire Marshal reviews requests by developers and architects to approve alternate materials or methods. Approval may be provided if the proposed design, use, or operation satisfactorily complies with the intent of the Fire Code. The material, method of work performed or operation shall be, for the purpose intended, at least equivalent to that prescribed in the Fire Code in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability and safety. Approvals are subject to the approval of the building official whenever the alternate material or method involves items regulated by the Building Code. Plan review and approval are followed by on-site inspections to ensure that fire protection features and systems are constructed and installed as planned and approved. It is the goal of the Fire Prevention Bureau to inspect all commercial occupancies annually.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Rincon Valley Fire District is dedicated to providing effective life safety and fire prevention education as well as providing specialized public assistance programs. Classes are provided upon request from community organizations and clubs, schools, government organizations, homeowners associations, families, and individuals.
Life and Fire Safety Public Education Programs
911 Awareness - Enhanced 911 services are used throughout the fire district. Residents of all ages are given instruction on how the 911 system works and are strongly encouraged to use the 911 system in an emergency.
Bicycle Helmets and Bicycle Safety Fair - Bicycle Safety Fairs are provided in cooperation with local schools. Bicycle helmets are available in the Fire Prevention Office and are fitted to each child by injury prevention specialists.
Blood Pressure Checks - Free Blood Pressure Checks are available to the public 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Blood pressure checks are done at the fire stations and at community groups and events. Blood pressure readings are recorded and the information is available to a resident for health records and doctor information. BP cards are distributed to assist a resident in maintaining a blood pressure history.
Brush Fire Awareness and Prevention - Helping the community reduce the propagation of brush fires and enhance personal safety if a brush fire occurs.
Child Passenger Safety Seat Specialist Certification Program Specially trained Rincon Valley Fire District personnel provide parents and care takers with fundamental "technical" knowledge regarding appropriate use and installation of child safety seats.
Acacia Elementary School Fire Prevention Week Classes - All Kindergarten students receive fire safety classes in conjunction with NFPAs Fire Prevention Week.
CPR Classes - Rincon Valley Fire District is a CPR training center for the American Heart Association. Classes include Healthcare Provider, Heartsaver and Heartsaver first aid. Classes are available to the district residents for a small fee. Rincon Valley Fire District has three Instructors. The Department also teaches special interest groups CPR such as, Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troops.
Crawl Low Under Smoke - Smoke survival for all ages.
Disaster Preparedness Rincon Valley Fire District provides the community with information to prepare their family to cope with a disaster until emergency help arrives. RVFD monitors Wash crossings and flood prone streets during heavy rains.
E.D.I.T.H - Identifying the need and assisting families with developing safe Exit Drills In The Home through creating floor plans, identifying two exits from each room and establishing a meeting place, testing smoke detectors, and identifying home hazards.
Fire Extinguisher Awareness and Use - Home and Commercial business classes with hands-on instruction for the safe use and maintenance of a fire extinguisher. Emphasis is placed on safely exiting from a building and fire department notification.
First Aid Classes - First aid classes are taught to boy scouts and cub scouts, school groups, and as requested by community groups.
Matches and Lighters are Tools Not Toys - A kindergarten and 1st grade program to describe the difference between tools and toys. Identifies matches and lighters as tools, what to do if they find them, what to do if they see other children playing with them, and what to do if they see a fire.
Residential Fire Safety Awareness Program - Suppression crews evaluate residences for exterior and interior fire safety. Homeowners are encouraged to schedule a Safety Evaluation of their home. In the spring, neighborhoods are examined and each home is provided with a "Green Tag" door hanger congratulating the homeowner on a fire safe property with added safety tips, or a "Red Tag" door hanger identifying fire safety hazards found and providing fire safety tips offering assistance to make the property more fire safe.
Safety Fairs - Working with other community organizations to provide fire safety and injury prevention information to large public gatherings.
Senior Citizen Safety Program - Attending meetings, and organizations to speak on senior citizen safety issues. I.e. Medication use and storage, File of Life, 911, Cooking Safety, Heating Safety, Smoke Detectors, Home Evacuation, Flammable Liquid Storage.
Smoke Detector Inspection - Inspection of proper location and quantity, battery maintenance, cleaning, and providing information on varied types of detection.
Stop-Drop-cover and Roll - An activity for all age groups to teach what to do if their clothes catch fire.
File of Life Program - Residents are provided with a form, instructions, and a storage file that is kept on the refrigerator and can be accessed by medical personnel in the event of an emergency. The form lists vital information on medical history, medications, doctors, and family contact information.
Youth Firesetter Intervention - The program involves meeting with the entire family. In the primary meeting, an evaluation is made to determine "Curiosity Firesetting", "Crisis Firesetting" or "Psychological Firesetting". The evaluation involves a talk with the parents and child, an interview with the Parents, an interview with the child, and a talk with the parents again. The program follows F.E.M.A.s National Juvenile Firesetter/Arson Control and Prevention Program. Education and referrals are made by the Fire Marshal.
Community Outreach and Customer Service Programs
Block Party Attendance - Station crews are frequently invited to attend community block parties. Personnel interact with the community in a fun, non-structured atmosphere. Children and adults have the opportunity to see the fire and EMS equipment, and become more personally involved with their Fire Department.
Community Meetings Rincon Valley Fire District actively supports community groups hosting meetings at the Fire department and sending speakers to address fire and life safety issues.
Community Meeting Rooms - Facilities are provided to community groups for meetings.
Cub Scout and Boy Scout Assistance - Meeting Rooms and Fire Prevention and Life Safety Classes are utilized by local Cub Scout troops and local Boy Scout troops.
Desert Creature Removal - Unwanted Desert creatures are removed from homes and properties and relocated to remote locations.
Fire Station Tours - Scheduled and Walk-in Fire Station Tours are available to all residents. The Station is staffed 24 hours a day and open to the public. Fire Prevention and life safety handout materials are available for everyone. A favorite of kids are the coloring books and assorted stickers.
Fireworks Display Standbys Rincon Valley Fire District has Fire Apparatus standbys at all pyrotechnic displays in the District. The Fire Marshal reviews pyrotechnic plans and the display grounds for safety concerns.
Invalid Assistance - Assistance with mobility, personal care, and non-emergent medical care.
Adopt a Family Christmas A firefighter dresses up as Santa Claus and drives through the Vail area wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and pass out gifts that have been purchased by the fire fighters and their families to needy families that have been adopted by the fire department through the local schools.
Vehicle Lockout Assistance - RVFD will respond to a vehicle owner to attempt entry in the event their keys are locked inside. This service is free of charge to district residents.