Mission Statement Through the combined effort of all Tulare County Fire Department personnel, it is our mission to provide all persons who reside, work or travel within the County of Tulare, with the protection of life, property and the environment within those areas, where the Tulare County Fire Department has direct protection responsibility by virtue of law, contract or mutual understanding. Vision Statement The scope of these Fire Department services includes responding to fires, medical emergencies, motor vehicle collisions, technical rescues, and other life threatening or dangerous conditions as the lead agency, or in support of that agency having jurisdiction. In our effort to minimize emergency and life safety responses, we strive to maintain comprehensive Fire, Risk and Injury Prevention programs that include public education, fire protection planning, fire prevention education, code enforcement, and fire suppression cost recovery. Our desire to serve the people of Tulare County is further exemplified by participation in “Mutual Aid” agreements, which allow the Tulare County Fire Department to receive and deliver mutual aid services from, and to, cooperating agencies. Values Statement Do our best (Be The Best You Can Be) – Integrity, Courage and Personal Accountability will direct our actions. Foster an environment of trust; treat others as we want to be treated; communicate openly and share knowledge; promote and respect the contributions of others; nurture the potential for leadership and accomplishment in all members; measure our success by the satisfaction of our customers; be recognized as combination Department that is a model of excellence in Fire Protection and Life Safety Programs. Administration The County shall maintain a fire department staffing and response time goals consistent with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards. These standards are as follows: Demand Zone Demographics Staffing/Response Time % of Calls Urban > 1000 people/sq. mi. 15 FF/9 min. 90 Suburban 500-1000 people/sq. mi. 10 FF/10 min. 80 Rural < 500 people/sq. mi. 6 FF/14 min. 80 Remote* Travel Dist. > 8 mi. 4 FF 90 * Upon assembling the necessary resources at the emergency scene, the fire department should have the capability to safely commence an initial attack within 2 minutes 90% of the time. Fire Protection Reduce fire related emergency occurrences by enhancing the public awareness of fire related hazards through education, engineering and enforcement efforts. Provide assistance to disaster victims during and after. The Hazard Abatement Officer issues notices to property owners whose properties pose imminent threat to public health, and/or safety. Fire Protection Planning element enforces the Uniform Fire Code by conducting industrial and commercial occupancy inspections, and by providing plan review for new construction and remodel projects. Fire Prevention delivers the Fire Department safety message via public service announcements germane to seasonal danger at specific times of the year. Public presentations are conducted at the Porterville and Tulare County Fair, in addition, many classrooms are visited.