GUY CARROZZO -- Mayor’s Column

Fire Chief Bernard Heimos administers both the Fire and Building Safety

departments in Fountain Valley, with the challenge of meeting the service

demands of 55,000 residents, active industrial and commercial centers,

two hospitals and a freeway that bisects our city. A staff of 48 keeps

all of our programs running efficiently, while providing the best

possible emergency and safety services for our customers.

The Fountain Valley Fire Department is housed in two fire stations within

the city’s 10 square miles and responds to more than 6,000 calls for

service annually. A third fire station was never constructed because of

borderless response agreements with neighboring cities.

The Fire Department’s alarm profile is similar to most departments in the

county. Medical aid calls account for 70% of alarms, with the remaining

30% divided between fire and other emergencies.

The department provides the residents and neighboring communities with

both basic life support and advanced life support prehospital emergency

care. Fountain Valley operates two paramedic engine companies, and our

ladder truck soon will become an additional paramedic unit. Automatic aid

agreements provide continuous availability of emergency medical services

and firefighting equipment. Patient transportation is provided under

contract with Care Ambulance.

Fountain Valley is a member of the Metro Cities Fire Authority. This

seven-city organization has a state-of-the-art emergency dispatch

communications center. Fountain Valley Fire Department also provides fire

and emergency medical services under contract to the unincorporated

county service areas adjoining the city. Automatic aid agreements exist

between the cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach,

Santa Ana, Costa Mesa and mutual aid from the Orange County Fire

Authority, enabling the nearest emergency response unit to answer a call.

Fire prevention, hazardous materials, disaster preparedness, public

education and building safety, including flood plain management, are the

fire marshal’s responsibility. Fountain Valley’s Hazardous Materials

Program provides for identification and licensing of commercially used or

stored hazardous materials that pose potential health risks to the

public.

Fountain Valley’s Building Department consists of four full-time

employee, a plan checker, building inspectors and building technicians,

and three contract employees. The building inspection program ensures

that the construction of all buildings and structures meet the standards

of the applicable codes, laws and city ordinances.

The Fire Inspection Reserve Seniors Taskforce, or FIRST, is the newest

addition to our prevention programs and uses senior volunteers. These

volunteers are trained to make fire safety inspections in businesses

occupying less than 3,000 square feet and with less than 50 occupants.

More than 1,100 businesses have been assigned to this program, allowing

more time for engine company personnel to complete the more complex

inspections and to schedule additional specialized training.

The Fountain Valley Fire and Building Safety departments have a proud

tradition of exceptional customer service. In the future, our departments

will see ever-increasing technological advancements that will enhance our

ability to provide new and dynamic services.

One essential quality will remain the same, however -- the dedication of

the personnel delivering the services. Fire Chief Bernard Heimos can be

reached at 593-4436 or via e-mail at fo7 vproud@fountainvalley.orgf7 .

* GUY CARROZZO is the mayor of Fountain Valley.