History has shown that wildland fires can happen so suddenly and with such intensity that the available firefighting forces are overwhelmed.  Often, there may not be enough firefighting forces to protect every structure. Because of this it is important to sit down with family to pre-plan fire emergency actions and fire prevention activities. The fate of a home and personal property can rest upon fire prevention and pre-fire planning.

• Wood shingles roofs are no longer permitted on the new construction or on replacement roofs.
• The City of Carlsbad has established standards regulating roofing materials, and the replacement of existing roofs with fire retardant roofing materials is now required as replacement becomes necessary and on all new structures.
• Although some fire retardant materials designed for application to existing wood roofs have been demonstrated to provide a high degree of fire resistance, home owners should be aware that long term fire protection is not guaranteed and additional treatment may be required periodically.

After a fire, fire victims may experience an emotional reaction to the event. Sometimes these emotions become troublesome and interfere with school, work and social life. If they do, professional assistance is necessary. An employer and/or health insurance carrier may provide coverage for counseling services. Another option is the Trauma Intervention Program available to North County residents. To request a counselor, please call 760-931-2104.

If property is not suitable to live in, find a suitable place to stay while the property is being restored. Check an insurance policy or ask an agent about living expenses. If not insured, contact the American Red Cross at 760-757-5403 or the Salvation Army at 619-231-6000 for shelter assistance.

Inhaled smoke can be very damaging to a pet's health. If a pet is exposed to smoke or has any physical injuries, consult a veterinarian or the North County Humane Society for guidance. Carlsbad has several veterinarians; some are available 24 hours a day for emergency. If a pet is lost during the incident, contact North County Animal Control at 760-438-2312 for assistance.

Healthy but displaced pets may be temporarily placed in a board and care facility in and around Carlsbad. Refer to the yellow pages under "Animal Kennels" for a listing of board and care facilities. The North County Humane Society can also be used as a resource for boarding, however please check with the North County Humane Society for boarding availability and limitation.

• If a vehicle is damaged in a structure fire, contact the homeowner's insurance agent and vehicle insurance agent. The automobile insurance company is responsible for damage to vehicles.
• If a vehicle is insured, check the policy or ask an agent about auto rental coverage. Refer to “automobile renting & leasing" in the phone book yellow pages. There are several agencies in and around the City of Carlsbad. Some agencies will even deliver the rental vehicle.
• If the automobile is not insured, the North County Transit District 760- 722-6283 is available for mass transit.

If cash or documents are burned, handle with extreme care and as little as possible while attempting to salvage as much as possible. Encase each sheet of currency in a plastic bag and take it to a bank for directions regarding replacement. If the property is left unsecured, be sure to remove all valuables, identification, medications, and legal documents.

Any medications, food, and/or beverages exposed to smoke or heat should not be consumed. As heat can alter a medication's strength, check with a doctor prior to taking them. Food inside a refrigerator or freezer may be salvageable. A good rule is, "If in doubt, throw it out." If insured, add damaged food to the damaged inventory form. Discarded food may be covered in homeowner policies.

The City of Carlsbad no longer requires bicycle permits. Therefore, the Fire Department no longer provides this service.

The Carlsbad Fire Department does not perform child car seat safety inspections. Please contact:

San Diego County Sheriff’s Department – North Coastal Station
760-966-3500

California Highway Patrol – Oceanside Office
760-643-3400

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one that has reached the ceiling, endangers the user, (i.e. no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department. Please call 9-1-1 if there is a fire that cannot be controlled with a fire extinguisher.

Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher and it is advisable to have one in every room that poses a fire danger (such as the kitchen or garage). The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends at least one fire extinguisher for every 600 square feet of living area. A fire extinguisher should be mounted on a wall, 36 to 44 inches off the floor and away from any potential fire hazards, and placed near an exit door or escape route from the room.

Fire extinguishers are divided into three categories:

• Class A - Ordinary combustible fires, such as wood, paper or fabric
• Class B - Liquid fires, such as grease, gasoline and oil
• Class C - Electrically energized fires

The number that precedes the A, B, or C rating on a fire extinguisher determines how large a fire the extinguisher is designed to put out. The larger the number the more capacity the fire extinguisher has to extinguish fires. A typical general purpose residential fire extinguisher would have a rating of "1-A: 10-BC."

The best fire extinguisher for the home is one rated for multiple purpose use. They usually contain a dry chemical that meets the requirements to extinguish A, B and C class fires.

The quick way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is to use the acronym PASS.

Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher.
Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher.
Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire from approximately eight feet away.

EMS (medical) reports are HIPAA protected and can only be released to the patient or legal representative. 

Photo identification is required for release of records. A signed release statement will be required if records are to be given to a person other than the patient (i.e. spouse, attorney, or insurance company).

For individuals requesting records, please call:

Wittman Enterprises

(800) 906-6552

For insurance companies, record retrieval organizations, law firms, etc. please visit: 

www.chartswap.com

For questions or additional information related to EMS records, please contact Wittman Enterprises at (800) 906-6552.

Fire Incident reports are public records and can be requested by the general public. There is a processing time of up to 14 days. You will be notified when the report is ready. Reports can be picked-up or mailed only. We do not fax or electronically send copies of incident reports.

We offer two methods of requesting incident reports:

1. Please submit a completed incident request form with payment to:

City of Carlsbad
Fire Administration
Attn: Records
2560 Orion Way
Carlsbad, CA 92010

The fee for incident reports is $10, cash or check only (payable to the City of Carlsbad). 

2. You may submit an online fire incident report request and make electronic payment here. 

• Gas-fired water heaters should be 18" off the garage floor and strapped to the wall with easy access to gas shut off.
• Do not hang or store flammable materials on or near a gas-fired water heater.
• Store flammable and combustible liquids and gases away from heat or spark producing equipment.
• If needed, store gasoline in an approved safety can.
• Do not overload electrical cords or circuits.
• Never use frayed or damaged extension cords.
• Use only the proper gauge extension cord for the job. (12 or 14 gauge for heavy duty use)
• Safely store pesticides, fertilizers, cleaning agents and building supplies on level and secure shelving. Keep out of reach of children.
• Keep a fire extinguisher inside the garage near an exit.
• Keep dryer and dryer vent clean and free from excess lint.
• Check your garage door(s) operation and safety features often.

• Keep stove, oven and hood vent free of grease and dirt buildup.
• Don't use the stove top for added counter space.
• Turn cooking handles away from the front of the cook top to keep out of the reach of children and avoid accidental spills.
• When cooking always have the lid of the pot close at hand. The lid can smother a food or grease fire.
• Properly store all cleaning agents, check label for health hazard and flammability and store accordingly.
• Do not leave kitchen appliances on when no one is home.
• Always use a timer when using the oven.
• Install a multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

• When possible, replace extension cords with surge suppressing power strips that are equipped with a circuit breaker.
• Secure furniture and entertainment equipment to wall or floor to prevent damage or injury.
• Keep a fireplace in good working condition.
• Burn only dry seasoned wood or commercial fire logs in fireplace.
• Do not burn garbage, plastics, grass or Christmas tree trimmings in fireplace.
• Keep all combustible material at least 36" away from fireplace opening.
• Keep matches out of the reach of children.
• Make sure all exits from the home are clear and not blocked by stored items or furniture.

• A working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.
• Do not smoke in bed!
• Dispose of smoking materials in a metal container - not in a waste basket.
• Keep at least one smoke alarm on every level of a home.
• Install a smoke alarm in all hallways that lead to sleeping areas and in each bedroom.
• Smoke alarms checked each month and the batteries replaced annually or as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Doors and windows should be in good working condition. A door can be used to slow fire and smoke spread. Windows can be used as a means of escape in the event of severe fire and smoke conditions.

The speed of fire is phenomenal. During the first minute of a fire it spreads at a 100 percent rate. In two minutes, 300 percent. And in four minutes, 1,100 percent. This is all the time available to wake up and get out. It's the lack of time that kills! An escape plan is imperative.

• Create at least two different escape routes for each family member. Practice them with the entire family.
• When practicing the escape, close the doors. Closed doors slow the spread of fire.
• Remember to practice crouching down low to avoid breathing in smoke.
• Make sure children understand and recognize a smoke alarm signal.
• Have a designated meeting place outside.
• When all members are outside, STAY OUTSIDE. Under no circumstance should anyone go back into a burning home.
• Call the fire department from a neighbor’s house.

People often feel safe in their homes, but about two-thirds of the nation's fire deaths happen in the victim's own home. The home environment poses the greatest risk and requires the most precautions. Smoke alarms mounted on the wall or ceiling automatically sound a warning when they sense smoke or other products of combustion. A Johns Hopkins University study found that 75 percent of residential fire deaths and 84 percent of residential fire injuries could have been prevented by smoke alarms. More than 90 percent of fatal fires occur in residential buildings between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when occupants are likely to be asleep. Most deaths occur from inhaling smoke or poisonous gases, not from the flames.

There are two types of household use smoke alarms.

• Ionization detectors - contain radioactive material that ionizes the air, completing an electric circuit. Smoke molecules attach themselves to the ions causing a change in current flow that triggers an alarm. The radioactive, synthetic metallic element is called Americium. The amount is very small and not harmful.
• Photo-electric detectors - contain a light source (usually a bulb) and a photocell, which is activated by light. Light from the bulb reflects off the smoke particles activating the photocell that triggers the alarm.

The placement of smoke alarms is very important. Follow these steps for proper placement and installation.

• One in each sleeping area
• One in a short hallway outside the bedroom.
• Hallways longer than 30 feet should have one at each end.
• Keep the alarm away from fireplaces, wood stoves and the kitchen to avoid false alarms.
• One at the top of each stairwell; smoke rises easily through stairwells.
• If putting a smoke alarm in the kitchen, be sure to keep it away from cooking fumes or smoking areas.

Proper mounting of a smoke alarm is important. Alarms can be self-mounted, but those connected to household wiring should have a separate circuit and be installed by a professional electrician.

• If mounted on the ceiling, keep it at least 18 inches away from dead air space near walls and corners.
• If mounted on the wall, place it six to 12 inches below the ceiling and away from corners.
• Keep smoke detectors high because smoke rises.
• Never place them any closer than three feet from an air register that might re-circulate smoke.
• Do not place near doorways or windows where drafts could impair the detector’s operation.
• Do not place on an uninsulated exterior wall or ceiling. Temperature extremes can affect the batteries.

Keeping smoke alarms in good condition very important and very easy. Follow these helpful tips to keep smoke alarms in good working condition.

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Replace the batteries every year or as needed. Most models will make a chirping, popping or beeping sound when the battery is losing its charge. When this sound is heard, install a fresh battery, preferably an alkaline type.
• Replacing smoke alarms over 10 years old is recommended.
• Replace bulbs every three years or as needed. Keep extras handy.
• Check alarm every 30 days by releasing smoke or pushing the test button.
• Clean the alarm face and grillwork often to remove dust and grease.
• Never paint a smoke alarm as paint will hamper its function.
• Check the alarm if no one has been home for a long period of time.

• Tips on home Fire Safety
• Water Watchers Program
• Outdoor Grilling Safety