Recently the City of Temecula Fire Department has received calls, and with assistance from the Temecula Police Department, are investigating complaints regarding fraudulent fire inspections occurring in the local Temecula business community. We have seen this type of activity before and together with the City of Temecula Police Department have been successful in stopping these companies from flourishing in our city.
An individual will typically enter a business, possibly wearing official looking clothes, and suggest that they represent the fire departmen or they are working with the Fire Department. They state that they need to look at the fire protection system, inspect the system and check the business for fire safety and first aid compliance or other similar statements.
After the fraudulent inspection, an employee is asked to sign an inspection form which is not left with the business or the employee. Businesses typically receive an invoice or several invoices for services that were allegedly performed which contain the signature from the inspection form scanned or cut and pasted onto the invoice. The invoice is then followed by aggressive and professional collection efforts.
The City of Temecula Fire Department inspects businesses on an annual basis. Business owners, managers, and employees should not let anyone inspect their fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, hood systems, first aid kits, automatic defibrillators, emergency lights or any other fire protection or life safety devices unless they are under annual contract or reach another agreement for a specific fire protection service prior to the service call. Read on to learn how to protect your business.
City of Temecula Fire Department employees:
- Will be in uniform and driving a marked City of Temecula Fire Department vehicle.
- Will provide inspection services only… and are not authorized to repair or replace any fire safety equipment or recommend companies that service or sell equipment.
- Will provide a copy of the Temecula Fire Department annual fire/life safety business inspection form to the business owner or employee.
- Will never charge for an annual Fire/life safety business inspection. There is no fee collected by the Fire Department for an annual fire/ life/safety business inspection.
An individual representing a fire protection service company should:
- Identify their business, provide personal introductions, and produce a business card and if applicable a work order. Allowing people to enter your business without a clear understanding of who they are and what their intentions are is not recommended.
- Present a copy of a current business license from the City of Temecula, a contractor’s “C-16” (fire sprinklers and fixed protection systems) or “C-10” (fire alarms) license. Check their license at http://www.cslb.ca.gov
- Tell you what they intend to do, and what the estimated costs will be. Never pay in cash. Invoicing and record keeping are important for your business and the establishment of legal avenues.
- Leave any replaced or changed parts with you upon your request, and must leave you with a signed invoice.
Remember! You can refuse service and contact the Temecula Fire Department for assistance. We will gladly advise you of any required service for your fire/life safety protection systems, and assist you in verifying that a company you choose is licensed and qualified to provide the appropriate inspection, testing, and maintenance.
If you have any questions or if one of these individuals has approached your business offering their services, call the City of Temecula Fire Department at 951-694-6405.