Title
Outside Combustible Storage Program
Description
This report provides the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee with an update of the Phoenix Fire Department’s Outside Combustible Storage Program.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
On June 5, 2021, a large recycling facility in Phoenix caught fire. The fire quickly grew because of a significant volume of combustible material. The fire devastated several buildings, damaged other structures, and destroyed property. The incident lasted for 96 consecutive hours before termination. At the peak of the incident, over 200 fire personnel were present, comprising of ten automatic aid partners and was the largest fire deployment in the history of the Phoenix Fire Department (PFD). There were no reports of injuries to community members. PFD was aware of two firefighter injuries at the incident.
In response, PFD diverted fire inspection personnel towards those facilities that have outside combustible storage (OCS). Since July 2021, PFD has conducted community risk reduction activities at 151 OCS facilities. This has resulted in a 55 percent reduction in OCS fires when compared to FY 2020-21.
While eliminating all OCS fires is impossible, the goal of the OCS program is to minimize fire starts and to make fires more manageable. The OCS program focuses on limiting the volume of outside combustible storage, addresses distances between combustible storage piles, structures, and property lines. Also, the OCS program supports firefighters through ensuring compliance with other fire code requirements such as hydrants, fire apparatus access, and firefighter hose deployment.
The 2022-23 adopted budget included four additional Fire Prevention Specialist II positions to provide dedicated staffing for the OCS program. Once hired and trained, these dedicated positions will enable an enhanced and sustained focus on community risk reduction activities at OCS facilities.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department.