"Our Mission: We, the El Dorado Hills Fire Department, exist to serve and protect the Community through emergency management."

Fire Prevention

Please see the EDHFD Informational Bulletins that pertain to various Community Risk Reduction Services

Fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the Fire Department arrives. 

NFPA Safety tips
  • Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke.
  • To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
    • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
    • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
    • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
    • Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
  • For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle.
  • Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.
  • Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher trainings.
  • Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.
  • Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.

If your fire extinguisher is in need of servicing or replacement, we cannot recommend any specific company but you can google a local business that can help service your extinguishers. If you choose to replace your fire extinguisher instead of servicing it, you can find them at a local store (Home Depot, Costco, Walmart, etc.). The minimum requirement for a commercial business is a 2A:10B:C fire extinguisher. We also recommend this same type of fire extinguisher for residential use.

If you are needing to dispose of your old fire extinguishers, please visit the Household Hazardous Waste collection program webpage.

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department would like the business owners of our community to be aware of fraudulent companies trying to service the fire protection equipment of their businesses. Local businesses have been victims of a uniformed citizens claiming to be Fire Department representatives who insist on conduction "Fire and Life Safety Inspections" or servicing fire protection systems unnecessarily and without proper credentials. These companies are billing business owners for alleged services provided and are aggressively and persistently trying to collect.  View Fraud Awareness document for more information.

WHAT IS THIS FEE?

The State Responsibility Area (SRA) Fire Prevention Benefit Fee was enacted following the signing of Assembly Bill X1 29 in July 2011. This fee is imposed by the State of California and not by the El Dorado Hills Fire Department. The law approved the new annual Fire Prevention Fee to pay for fire prevention services within the SRA.

The fee is levied at the rate of $150 per habitable structure, which is defined as a building that can be occupied for residential use. Owners of habitable structures who are also within the boundaries of El Dorado Hills Fire District will receive a reduction of $35 per habitable structure.

CAL FIRE fee bills are due to be mailed to El Dorado County property owners starting the first week of September. The State Responsibility Area Viewer allows users to view the spatial distribution of SRA at different scales and for different areas of the state. It can also be used to search for a specific address to help determine if someone is in or out of SRA.

For more information about the Fire Prevention Fee, please visit: www.FirePreventionFee.org or call 1-888-310-6447.

 

WHAT IS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S STANCE?

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department has opposed the CalFire SRA (State Responsibility Area) Fee from its inception. Recently the Board of Directors has adopted a resolution against the fee. Please see the News Release and Resolution below, along with maps of the El Dorado Hills Fire SRA/LRA Maps.

This fee has been formally opposed by the El Dorado County Fire Chiefs' Association.

EDHFD SRA News Release

EDHFD Board of Directors SRA Resolution

El Dorado Hills SRA LRA Maps -  These maps focus on the areas in EDH that are Local Responsibility Areas. If you live in EDH and your residence is not on this map, then it is considered to be an State Responsiblity Area. Please visit the State Responsibility Area Viewer website linked above to enter in your address.

 

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROPERLY PROTEST THIS FEE? 

1) Open this letter and personalize the appropriate areas.   SRA Appeal Letter   PDF Version of letter

2) Obtain a Property Information document by visiting www.edcgov.us/assessor.  Click the "On Line Property Information" link on the left.  Enter your APN and then print the document.  On the Tax Rate Area Table, highlight County Water - El Dorado Hills JT.  Also, highlight the note at the bottom of that table that refers to Fire Protection.

3) Complete the Petition Form and print.   Petition Form

4) Make copies of the documents above so that you have 3 sets.  Mail one set to each address listed below:

     Fire Prevention Petitions, P.O. Box 2254, Suisun City, CA 94585
     Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, P.O. Box 944246, Sacramento, CA 94244
     Board of Equalization, P.O. Box 942879, Sacramento, CA 94279

It is recommended that you pay this fee on time to avoid any possible penalties.  It is recommended that you write "Paid in Protest" on your check and on the bill and keep copies of both before mailing in.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Administrative Offices at (916) 933-6623.  For more helpful tips, click on the following link: Mountain Democrat article

 

WHAT DO I DO IF MY PETITION WAS DENIED? 

If you have submitted a protest, you may receive a response from CAL Fire denying your petition. To read more about what you can do next, click here...

The following information is to be used whenever underground propane tanks are installed in El Dorado Hills. This information is to correlate with the NFPA 58, International and California Fire Codes.

  • The Underground LPG Tank Permit Application must be completed and uploaded to the Residential Plan Submittal Form. Once the permit application is completed and saved to your computer, go to Residential Plan Submittal form, complete the form, upload the Underground LPG Tank Permit Application and a digital set of plans.  This must be submitted  prior to installation of the tank.
  • All plan submittal fees must be paid in advance.
  • All approved LPG installations and burying of underground tanks and lines must be witnessed in the presence of an LPG licensed contractor and fire code official.

If you have any further questions, please contact Fire Prevention at (916) 933-6623.

Unimproved (vacant) properties can pose a significant fire hazard in the community. To reduce this fire threat, property owners are required to meet the Fire Department Standard W-001 (Vegetation Management on Unimproved Properties) prior to May 1, 2023. To assist property owners and other persons in the community in understanding this program further and how they can comply, please click on the links below for additional information.

Note: It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their property is in compliance with their HOA, as well as the Fire Department’s standards.

**Serrano residents must comply with the Serrano El Dorado Owners' Association "Tree Removal and Pruning" rule, and obtain approval from the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) prior to pruning or removing any Heritage Oak Tree. For more information, please see the Association website or contact the office at (916) 939-1728.

For more information and/or questions about this program please contact our Community Risk Reduction Division staff at 916-933-6623 x1044

 

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