Fire Prevention

What we do

• Fire safety inspections

  A key responsibility of the division is conducting fire safety inspections of commercial buildings and vacation rentals, making sure businesses are safe for visitors and identifying potential hazards.

• Construction plan review

  Working with the Building Department, the division reviews new construction plans to confirm compliance with fire safety standards as the county grows and develops.

• Fire investigations

  The division conducts fire investigations to determine the origins and causes of fires.

• Public education and outreach

  Through community events, educational workshops, and partnerships with local organizations, the division fosters a culture of fire awareness and prevention, contributing to the overall safety and well-being of Flagler County.

Have ‘Two Ways Out’

Flagler County fire officials continually urge residents to plan two ways out of each and every room.

Your home escape plan should include

• Working smoke alarms: on every level, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas.
• Two ways out of every room: typically a door and a window.
• A clear path to an outside meeting place: like a light pole or mailbox that is a safe distance away from the home.

Be Firewise!

Homeowner checklist

• Clear needles, leaves and other debris from the roof, gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This reduces the chances of embers igniting the home.
• To reduce ember penetration, replace or repair loose or missing roof shingles or tiles, and caulk any gaps or openings on roof edges.
• Cover exterior attic vents, and enclose under-eave and soffit vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent embers from entering the home.
• Remove items stored under decks or porches, and replace vegetation in these areas with rock or gravel.
• Replace mulch with hardscaping, including rock, gravel or stone. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch the house, deck or porch.
• Remove flammable items within 30 feet of all structures, including firewood piles, portable propane tanks, and dry and dead vegetation.
• Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire, so keep the lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, trim it to reduce fire intensity, and don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
• Fire can spread to treetops. For tall trees on the property, prune low hanging branches 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and for smaller trees, prune low hanging branches no more than a third of the tree’s height. Remove tall grasses, vines and shrubs from under trees.
• Talk to neighbors and create a plan for how to address challenges together.

Inspection checklists and guides

Use these documents to prepare for a fire safety inspection or plan work that falls under fire code review.