The Fire Prevention Bureau provides the highest level of fire prevention services through comprehensive inspections and code enforcement, plan review and engineering services, public education, fire investigations, and exterior hazard control to ensure properties are properly constructed in accordance with local and state codes.

The Fire Prevention Bureau provides fire prevention services to our citizens who live or work in the cities of Antioch, Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Pittsburg, San Pablo, Walnut Creek, including the unincorporated communities of north Alamo, Bay Point, Clyde, East Richmond Heights, El Sobrante, Montalvan Manor, North Richmond, Pacheco and Tara Hills.

Under the direction of the Fire Marshal, the Fire Prevention Bureau has five main units: Code Enforcement, Engineering, Public Education, Fire Investigation, and Exterior Hazard Control.

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• The Code Enforcement Unit is primarily responsible for inspecting of existing occupancies for compliance with Fire Code, CCR Title 19, Health & Safety Code, Fire District Ordinance, and applicable NFPA standards. There are approximately 8,000 occupancies assigned to the bureau for inspections to ensure compliance with Fire Code operational permit requirements or based on a statutory requirement to conduct annual life safety inspections in certain occupancy types.
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• The Engineering Unit is primarily responsible for plan review, new construction inspections, and fire and life safety systems acceptance testing to ensure compliance with the California Fire and Building Codes, Fire District Ordinance and Standards, and applicable NFPA standards. Plan review services are provided through traditional plan submittal and review processes, as well as, “over the counter” plan review of minor projects and small fire protection system modifications.
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• The Public Education Unit provides a long list of valuable programs to the public to promote and teach fire safety to all ages through a variety of delivery methods. The Unit’s programs range from teaching kindergarteners how to “Stop, Drop and Roll” to assisting senior citizens how to recognize and eliminate hazards in their home.
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• The Exterior Hazard Control Unit inspects both public and private properties for compliance with Fire District weed abatement standards, which were established through local ordinance. The Unit primary purpose is to limit the potential sources of fuel for fire through abatement of combustible rubbish and vegetation to create “defensible space” around properties to would allow firefighters to effectively stop fires from spreading from open space areas to homes and properties. The Unit works proactively with other agencies throughout the County, including the Diablo Fire Safe Council, to reduce the threat of wildfire in the communities we service.
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• The Fire Investigation Unit is responsible for determining origin and cause of fires and the investigations of fire related incidents of both criminal and accidental nature, pursuant to the mandate for fire origin and cause determination as outlined in the Fire Code and California Health and Safety Code. The Unit works closely with other law enforcement personnel from our County and City agencies to effect the successful investigation, arrest, prosecution, and conviction of arsonists.