Senior Safety Presentation
Join us on Wednesday, December 18 at 2:00 pm at the Rancho Santa Fe Senior Center, 16780 La Gracia, for "Staying Safe in Your Home and Community." Seniors and caregivers can learn helpful tips from members fo the RSF Patrol, Fire District, and community members on how to stay active and safe. Reservations are not required.
State Begins Billing SRA Fee for Second Time
In early 2011, The California Legislature adopted legislation that required the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (BOF) to develop and implement a program to assess a fire prevention fee on homeowners within State Responsibility Areas (SRA). In November 2011 the BOF voted to adopt regulations to implement the fee mandated by the Legislature.The Board of Equalization is now sending out the notices for this year’s billing cycle to the State. The mandatory annual fee is $150 per habitable structure, with a $35 credit per habitable structure given to those who live on SRA lands but pay for fire protection from a second agency, such as the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District (RSFFPD). The SRA bill, which will be separate from your property tax bill and is scheduled to be mailed between September 25 and October 4, will be used for fire prevention services and programs provided by the state, not local agencies.
CAL FIRE has developed a web site with information about the SRA fee. The site includes a number of helpful links, as well as the phone number to the SRA Fee Implementation Center. The web site can be accessed at www.firepreventionfee.org. You can also read RSFFPD's press release regarding the fee for more information.
Plant and Landscape Guide
Wildfire: Are You Prepared?
Wildfires are a constant threat for those of us living in Southern California, especially within wildland-urban interface areas like Rancho Santa Fe and its surrounding communities. The Fire Protection District employs a hazard abatement inspector who surveys properties for fire hazards and mails violation notices to property owners not in compliance with District Ordinance 2004-02 and 2011-01.
Residents within the RSFFPD service area should begin to receive a letter reminding them of the local hazard abatement requirements. Learn more about how you can safeguard not only your home, but your entire community, with the following resources:
Life Safety System Maintenance Community Presentation
Smoke alarms and residential fire sprinklers are important tools in keeping families safe during a house fire. The Fire District now has a webpage and printed brochure to help community members understand their home fire protection system, including home fire sprinklers, and the proper way to maintain it. The website can be found at http://www.rsf-fire.org/sprinklers/index.html while printed brochures are located at each of our fire stations and administration office.
Hands-Only CPR
When someone suffers cardiac arrest, every second counts. The longer a patient goes without Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), the less likely their chance of survival. Unfortunately, that is what happens all too often. According to the American Heart Association, 70% of Americans feel helpless during emergency situations and hesitate to act.
To help ease fears and increase the chances of patients getting the assistance they need, the AHA has developed Hands-Only CPR. Hands-Only CPR involves two simple steps: 1. Call 9-1-1 and 2. Push hard and fast in the center of the chest. Learn more on our Hands-Only CPR page. You can also download the Hands-Only CPR app from both Google and iTunes.
Fire District Receives Grant from G.S. Levine and Fireman's Fund
Rancho Santa Fe firefighters can breathe easier thanks to a $6,525 grant awarded by G.S. Levine Insurance Services and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company. The grant funds self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders, which provide a continuous flow of clean, breathable air when firefighters are in a contaminated environment with smoke, fire or other hazardous materials. It is one of the most important pieces of equipment for firefighters to have.
“On average, a firefighter may use up two or more air cylinders during a fire in a single family dwelling,” said Fire Chief Tony Michel. “This grant will help ensure our firefighters have the equipment they need to stay safe while saving lives in emergency situations. We are very appreciative of this grant.”
Learn more about the grant, the G.S. Levine Insurance Services, and the Fireman's Fund.
Administrative Offices
Just a reminder that our Administrative Offices, which were once housed at Station 1, are now located in the Plaza at the entrance to the community of Cielo, across Calle Ambiente from Station 4. The new location is more centrally located to all areas of the district and will allow us to better meet the needs of our customers. Services offered included plan submissions, plan checks, car seat installations, accounts payable, and other administrative or prevention matters.
