FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY

SUMMARY

The primary goals of the Fire Prevention Division are to educate the public about fire prevention and life safety; ensure required firefighter and EMS access is established and maintained; and ensure fire hydrants, standpipes, and other required fire protection systems are installed properly, and maintained.

 

The division has been integrated into the Permit Center for over 10 years, where Prevention staff works collaboratively with Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, Public Works, and the rest of the Permit Center Staff. The Prevention Staff is responsible for plan checking, permitting construction projects, and inspecting those projects during the construction and final phases of the project.

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Division Chief/Fire Marshal - Christopher Knapp

Knapp 1

2023 Salinas Fire Department Firefighter of the Year:  

New Fire and Building Code Update

  • The 2025 California Fire Code Standards will become effective on January 1, 2026. The Fire Code is part of the triennial update cycle for the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 9. Please visit the California Building Standards Commission website for more updates and information.
  • Fire permit applications will be accepted under the 2022 California Fire Code through Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., provided the submittal is complete and payment is received within two business days. Incomplete submissions or delayed payments may result in cancellation, and a new application compliant with the 2025 California Fire Code will be required.
  • All plans must be submitted electronically via email to FirePrevention@ci.salinas.ca.us. Please ensure to complete the fire plan check application and provide the building permit number, if applicable. 
  • Fire permit applications submitted on or after Thursday, January 1, 2026, must reflect and comply with the 2025 California Fire Code and all applicable local amendments.
  • For any questions or concerns, please contact us at 831-758-7466 or send an email to FirePrevention@ci.salinas.ca.us.

2025 Holiday Closure

  • The Salinas Permit Center will be closed for walk-in visits and phone calls during the upcoming holidays from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, until Monday, January 5, 2026.
  • The Salinas Fire Prevention Office will remain open and will continue to answer phone calls and schedule inspections as needed. However, the office will be closed on December 24, 2025, and will reopen on Monday, December 29, 2025.

  • All fire plan applications, revisions, and supporting documents may be submitted electronically to FirePrevention@ci.salinas.ca.us and will be processed by staff.

QUICK LINKS

OUR SERVICES

 

EVENTS

Thanksgiving - Thursday, November 27th

 

In this live burn, the NFPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) highlight the fire risks associated with turkey fryers. Turkey fryer use is severely discouraged by the NFPA. 

Facts:

  • Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires with more than three times the daily average for such incidents. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third, with both having nearly twice the daily average. 
  • Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
  • Cooking causes half (52%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (36%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (17%).
  • On Thanksgiving day alone, an estimated 1,610 home cooking fires were reported to U.S fire departments in 2022, reflecting a 399 percent increase over the daily average.
Keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.
 
Tips:
  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children. Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. 

Source: NFPA Research Division

CONTACT US 
  • PHONE NUMBER: 831-758-7466
  • EMAIL ADDRESS: FIREPREVENTION@CI.SALINAS.CA.US
  • 200 LINCOLN AVE, SALINAS, CA 93901 
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