Community Risk Reduction's Role

The Manhattan Beach Fire Department Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Division, under the direction of the Fire Marshal, is staffed by civilian personnel dedicated to increasing safety, preventing or reducing fire losses, and ensuring compliance with applicable codes and ordinances.

Main Phone Number: (310) 802.5203.  Fire Inspection Billing Questions: (310) 802-5205

The goal of the CRR is to safeguard the community from fire and environmental hazards through programs providing adherence to fire regulations, public education, and hazard mitigation.  To achieve this goal, the CRR's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conducting fire safety inspections at high-rise buildings, hotels, businesses, apartment buildings, schools, public assembly occupancy, health care facilities, special events, movie filming, fire alarm installations, and medical gas installations.  For further information, go to the "Annual Fire & Life Safety Inspections" page.
• Issuance of fire permits.
• Conducting inspections of new construction, tenant improvements, and automatic fire protection systems.
• Public education and safety awareness programs.

The CRR provides a full range of services encompassing community education and preparedness, emergency planning, fire prevention, code enforcement, fire inspections, vegetation management, and plan check services of new and tenant improvement construction projects. The Fire Prevention Division is focused on the prevention of the loss of life and property and damage to the environment through education, enforcement and preparedness. We are committed to providing the highest level of service and expertise in partnership with our community.

Community Risk Reduction	Code Enforcement	Public Education

• Coordinate the annual business inspection program
• Manage the fire/life safety efforts at the Manhattan Beach Studios
• Ensure rapid turnaround of on-site plan checks
• Provide fire inspections for residential and commercial construction projects
• Manage the Department's Hazardous Materials program
• Effectively investigate all fires for cause and origin
• Creation and maintenance of a Target Hazard Program
• Provide Public Education
• Provide life/safety evaluation and input for the many Special Events held within the City of
  Manhattan Beach

The most effective way to protect people and property from the hazards of fires is to prevent fires from occurring.  Through its comprehensive inspection and education programs, the Prevention Division reduces the number of fires and fire losses in our community and provides a safer environment for citizens and guests of the city.  This division is also responsible for hazardous materials, arson/fire investigation, and public education.

The Community Risk Reduction Division provides construction plan check services for fire and life safety issues, and is responsible for inspections of all existing and new commercial and residential construction in the City.  Fire Department personnel conduct annual fire/life safety inspections of all businesses to insure compliance with the City's fire code and City municipal ordinances.  Fire Department personnel also inspect single family residences as requested by the homeowner.

The Manhattan Beach Studios consists of fourteen operating film sound stages, a mill, and office space. The studios have a constant impact on the Prevention division due to tenant turnover and the unique character of the film business. 

Community Risk Reduction also manages the Hazardous Materials program through a joint agreement with the L.A. County Fire Department, and oversees the cleanup of spills, leaks, and illegal dumping. The Division also provides Haz-Mat response training to our Suppression personnel.  

Arson investigation is managed through the Administrative Division.  Investigators determine the cause of all fires in the City and work closely with the Police Department in the prosecution of arson cases.