The Community Risk Management Division of the Sedona Fire District is a multifaceted branch of the fire district. The major categories of responsibilities are divided into the following groups:

Fire Code: Advises the District’s Governing Fire Board on the promulgation of a fire code, including an Urban–Wildland Interface Code, for the fire district. Once enacted the Fire Marshal is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the code throughout the district. In conjunction with the main fire code are a group of nationally recognized fire code standards, typically from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that are also adopted as support to the provisions of code. All of the codes and standards adopted in the fire district are coordinated through the Arizona State Fire Marshal’s Office for approval. The adopted fire code is applicable to all buildings, both new and existing, and to all remodels and improvements as they occur. As part of the fire code enforcement process a number of permits are issued overseeing hazardous activities that are conducted throughout the district. These include open burning, blasting, flammable and combustible products use, storage and handling, and a variety of other activities.

Plan Review: As part of the fire code enforcement process all new construction is required to go through the permit and review process including a construction plan review and fire system review. The plan review process includes reviewing plans for new developments and subdivisions, fire hydrant distribution systems, water supplies and fire apparatus access concerns. Plans are required to be submitted for all remodels and improvements as well as for new construction. Being that the Sedona Fire District has adopted a residential fire sprinkler requirement by resolution plans for residential fire sprinkler systems are also reviewed for all homes exceeding 3,600 square feet of total floor area or homes otherwise requiring fire sprinklers. All engineering associated with fire detection and suppression systems is reviewed for compliance. Civil engineering plans are reviewed for fire apparatus access issues concerning grades, roads, security gates, water crossings and bridges. CRM maintains a working relationship with three building departments in the plan review process due to the unique overlapping of jurisdictions within the fire district’s boundaries.

CRM provides fire code consultations to many architects and developers concerning fire code requirements through the development review processes of both the city and counties which it serves.

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Building Safety Inspections: The CRM manages a number of building safety inspections for fire code compliance issues. This includes managing an engine company fire inspection program and a fire hydrant inspection program performed by fire fighting staff. All complaints of hazards are also covered in the inspection program. A fireplace and wood stove safety inspection program is also provided in conjunction with many fire insurance companies.
Public Education: The CRM division has an extensive public education program providing a number of activities with various age groups and other agencies. Some of the more pronounced programs include interaction with the Verde Valley Life and Fire Safety (LAFS) program, which provides a number of fire and life safety programs mainly directed at the public and private school arenas. CRM provides the community at large Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and education and has formed a number of CERT organizations within the district. Annual events toward education also include the Every 15 Minute Program aimed at drinking and driving and high school students, Bicycle Rodeos in conjunction with local insurance agencies, which includes a bicycle helmet program, a Child Car Safety Seat Inspection Program where the general public can bring a car seat to the fire station to be checked for proper installation, Elderly Care Program targeting senior citizens safety, Juvenile Fire Setters Program which helps to deter fires set by children and deals with those offenders. Other programs include public health fairs and wellness clinics, Knox Box Program, Street Addressing Program, Fire Hydrant Marking Program, Safe Sitter, Smoke Detector Check, Fire Wise Education, Home Safety Inspections and Spring/Fall Safety, Station Tours, and Fire Prevention Week Programs. CRM is also home to Sparky, Fire Pup, Freddie the Fire Truck, and SFD’S Big Joe inflatable fire fighter.

Public Information: The CRM is in charge of all media releases through a public information officer (PIO), currently assigned to the Deputy Fire Marshal. All district-wide events having a public concern attached to them are presented to the media. All reports of fires, accidents, rescues and events of general interest are reported to the various media venues. Storylines for public safety issues are also broadcast and published. Timely release of information is vital to public safety when major events occur within the fire district. The PIO has a well established working rapport with the various local and distant media.

Fire Investigation: CRM has a vigorous fire investigation team and works in conjunction with and spearheads the Yavapai Fire Investigation Task Force throughout Yavapai County. The Fire Marshal, who is nationally certified in fire investigation, is the lead investigator for all fires and hazardous materials incidents occurring throughout the district. In the event of arson the case is investigated and prepared to pursue prosecution of the offenders of arson. Working relationships with the County Attorney’s Office and affiliations in nationally recognized investigative organizations support the efforts of fire investigation activities in SFD. CRM is also able to provide quality photographs through the use of a department photographer who is trained in fire investigation. The investigation task force works closely with the Arizona Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention (AACAP) which maintains an arson hotline reporting system. Investigations also serve to prevent future fires through notifications of product liability and recall issues. These issues are dealt with through the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Administration: CRM performs a number of administrative tasks primarily relating to managing the division as well as data and record keeping. Fire losses are tracked on an annual basis which provides information concerning the fire problem within the district. Occupancy history records are kept for all occupancies within the fire district in both hardcopy formats as well as in the FIREHOUSE database. This information is vital to units responding to incidents as it is available within the fire engine through the use of a mobile data terminal (MDT). Information collected by CRM provides the basis for the reoccurring Insurance Services Organization’s (ISO) review of the district. Information gathered also supports the fire district mapping activities, geographical information system (GIS), strategic planning activities, fire wise and interface concerns, annexations, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for hazardous materials facilities. Additionally information is used to plan for potential major catastrophic events and is shared with local, state and federal agencies. This shared information includes annual report summaries to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

As with other divisions within the fire district CRM also maintains its own annual budget. Items in the budgeting process include maintaining certifications, updating training, renewing affiliated memberships and professional subscriptions. Opportunities for securing grants and other funding are also managed.

Special Events: CRM is involved with permitting a number of special events which frequent the greater Sedona area. This includes carnivals, fairs, art shows, demonstrations, parades, festivals, fun houses and fireworks displays. These events are evaluated for issues concerning fire and life safety.

Related Activities: CRM actively maintains professional relationships with a variety of fire service and law enforcement entities in the pursuit of its mission. With the advent of terrorist events CRM is actively involved with keeping updated through seminars and associations receiving specialized training to prepare and recognize terrorist related activities. These activities may include arson and clandestine drug labs.

CRM has been instrumental in creating a fire hydrant franchise program within the Sedona city limits. The program funds fire hydrants for those established areas of the city where the infrastructure can support a hydrant where there is a need to install a hydrant.

Presently CRM staffing includes a full-time Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, and two Fire Inspectors. CRM is located in Fire Station #51 in West Sedona.