Businesses Warned Against Unlicensed Fire Inspection Service

The Redlands Police and Fire Departments are warning local business owners to be sure you know exactly who is performing fire inspections on your property. The Redlands Police Department is investigating a series of recent incidents of fraudulent fire inspections performed at a number of local businesses. Several local businesses have been approached by individuals identifying themselves as inspectors for a company called District of Fire and Safety or DFS. These individuals tell employees they are conducting inspections on safety equipment, including sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, emergency lights and other fire safety and suppression equipment and request access to private rooms and offices. Once the inspection or servicing is done, the business is sent an invoice for nearly $500. In at least two cases, employees have reported theft of personal items after the inspections, including cell phones and wallets. District of Fire and Safety is not licensed in the City of Redlands or in the State of California. Any business receiving a bill from DFS is advised not to pay it and to contact Redlands Police. The Redlands Fire Department regularly conducts inspections of fire safety and suppression systems for businesses. The Fire Department offers the following information to protect business owners and help them identify legitimate Fire Department inspectors: • A UNIFORM AND BADGE - In most instances a legitimate Fire Department inspector will wear a standard issue (usually navy blue) Fire Department uniform, with identifying City patch on the left shoulder. Those wearing this uniform will also have a metal badge affixed above the left pocket, which indicates the name of the city, the fire department and a personnel name tag. Redlands Fire Department volunteer inspectors wear a polo shirt with the Fire Department patch on each shoulder. The volunteer inspectors will perform only follow-up inspections, so they will have a copy of the original inspection form with them. • LOOK FOR THE FIRE ENGINE - Look for the fire engine, paramedic squad, or fire truck parked outside. Legitimate Fire Department personnel will always arrive in or with their fire apparatus and not in a private vehicle. Fire prevention inspectors employed by the Redlands Fire Department will usually have a vehicle with the City or Fire Department logo on the side door. All Fire Department personnel will also have a photo identification card, issued by the City. So when in doubt, ask to see it. • NO MONEY REQUESTED OR COLLECTED - The Redlands Fire Department conducts annual fire inspections of businesses and fees will not be collected by the inspector. The inspection fee will usually be billed to the business owner, and will be printed on legitimate City or Fire Department letterhead. • DID YOU KNOW THEY WERE COMING? - For time management reasons, legitimate fire inspectors may show up unannounced for annual, routine or hazard-related inspections. However, no on-duty Fire Department personnel will conduct any repair, service, or make any changes to any type of fire protection equipment. While fire protection equipment must be serviced at prescribed intervals, this must be done by a licensed fire protection contractor holding the appropriate license classification. This person must be requested and hired by the business owner or manager, and should never show up unannounced. If a contractor does show up at a business and states that he or she will be conducting service or repair, always ask who authorized such work and verify that the person has been invited to the location. Even if found to be legitimate, agree on pricing and service costs before any work is conducted. • WHEN IN DOUBT, DIAL! - Business owners or employees wishing to verify the legitimacy of anyone claiming to be a fire inspector can call the Redlands Fire Department at (909) 798-7600. Also, if the person arriving at your business appears to be fraudulent, it is best to contact the Redlands Police Department at (909) 798-7681, or dial 9-1-1 if the person becomes confrontational. Do not attempt to deal aggressively with these persons yourself. Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a fraudulent fire inspection, has received an invoice from District of Fire and Safety or DFS, or has information on such activity is encouraged to contact the Redlands Police Department at (909) 798-7681.