In an age where clean energy and smart technology are becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, lithium-ion batteries have emerged as a powerhouse of convenience and sustainability. From electric vehicles to energy storage solutions, these batteries have transformed the way we power our world. However, it's crucial for residents to be aware of potential fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries in homes and take proactive measures to prevent fires. In this article, we'll explore why fires can start from lithium-ion batteries, provide simplified guidance on fire safety, and discuss specific regulations within the Woodside Fire Protection District. Why Do Lithium-Ion...
Woodside Fire News
News from Woodside Fire Protection District
September is here, and with it comes National Preparedness Month, a tme dedicated to promotng readiness and resilience in the face of emergencies. This year's theme, "Take Control in 1, 2, 3," encourages us all to actively partcipate in our own safety. It's not just a theme; it's a call to action. Let's delve into the steps you can take to be better prepared and empower yourself and your community. Call to Action As we celebrate National Preparedness Month this September, let's embrace the theme of "Take Control in 1, 2, 3" with a strong commitment to preparedness. Here's your call...
1st Reading: Introduce and waive the reading of Ordinance 23-02, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA DECLARING CERTAIN VEGETATION AND WASTE MATTER A PUBLIC NUISANCE, PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT AND/OR REMOVAL THEREOF, AND DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT.” Nuisance_Abatement_Ordinance_Ordinance_23-02_Final.pdf
1st Reading: Introduce and waive the reading of Ordinance 23-01, an “ AN ORDINANCE OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT OF SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE CITATION PROGRAM, ESTABLISHING ADMINISTRATIVE FINES, DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND REPEALING ORDINANCE 22-01.” Administrative_Citation_Ordinance_Ordinance_23-01_-_Final.pdf
(1) Conduct a public hearing;(2) Adopt “AN ORDINANCE OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ADOPTING THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (BASED ON THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE), INCLUDING APPENDICES B, BB, C, CC, D, L, AND P ONLY, WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDICES A THROUGH D ONLY, ADOPTING FINDINGS SUPPORTING THE LOCAL AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 12” (the “Ordinance”); (3) find that the Ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental...
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held for the Woodside Fire Protection District Board of Directors to consider enacting the following proposed ordinance:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE WOODSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT ADOPTING THE 2022 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (BASED ON THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE), INCLUDING APPENDICES B, BB C, CC, D, L AND P ONLY, WITH LOCAL AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING THE 2021 EDITION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDICES A THROUGH D ONLY, ADOPTING FINDINGS SUPPORTING THE LOCAL AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING A FINDING THAT THE ORDINANCE IS EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 12.
The proposed ordinance is also identified as Fire Code Ordinance 13-2023.
All interested persons are invited to attend the Public Hearing and be heard on this matter. The Public Hearing will take place on July 25, 2023, at 7:00 PM at 808 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028. This meeting will be conducted in a hybrid format, and the public may also attend this meeting virtually. Details on participating by Zoom or other virtual format will be available on the published July 25, 2023, agenda for the Board of Directors meeting.
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE: Every three years, new editions of the state building codes are published. The new codes and local amendments reflect changes in technology, fire safety techniques, and the building industry. These codes became the minimum standards for the State of California on January 1, 2023. The proposed ordinance also reflects local amendments with more restrictive building standards reasonably necessary because of local climactic, geological, or topographical conditions. By adopting the proposed ordinance, the Woodside Fire Protection District will be enforcing a code that is consistent with state regulations. Under state law, after the first reading of the title of the proposed ordinance, which occurred on June 13, 2023, the District is required to hold a public hearing before the proposed ordinance is adopted (Government Code § 50022.3). After the hearing, the Board of Directors may amend, adopt, or reject the proposed ordinance.
CEQA DETERMINATION: The Board of Directors will consider adopting a finding that the proposed ordinance is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
All interested parties are encouraged and invited to submit written comments regarding the proposed environmental finding and/or the merits of the proposed ordinance prior to the hearing or participate in the public hearing. Reasonable accommodations will be made to individuals with disabilities. To submit comments electronically, please forward them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. To submit comments via U.S. Mail, please forward them to the Woodside Fire Protection District Fire Marshal to arrive no later than 5:00 p.m. one day prior to the meeting at the following address: 808 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028.
Please note that any challenge of the proposed action in court may be limited to addressing only those issues raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence submitted to the Woodside Fire Protection District Fire Marshal at, or prior to, the public hearing.
The proposed Fire Code Ordinance 13-2023 is available for review online at
Updated Fire Code Ordinance Final Redline 7-25-23.pdf
Updated Fire Code Ordinance Final 7-25-23.pdf
A certified copy of the proposed Fire Code Ordinance 13-2023 is also available upon request by contacting the District Office, at (650) 851-1594, 808 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028.
Copies of the 2022 edition of the California Fire Code, the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code, the 2021 edition of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, and all associated appendices and referenced codes and materials, are on file at the District Office, 808 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028 and are available for public inspection
Attached is a copy of the District’s proposed Ordinance 13-2023, which, in summary, adopts and amends the 2022 California Fire Code. The proposed Ordinance includes the District’s findings supporting its amendments to the Fire Code (see Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5). The Board will hold its first reading of the proposed Ordinance 13-2023 on Tuesday, June 13 2023. On July 25, 2023 the Board will consider (1) introducing and waiving the reading of the proposed Ordinance and (2) scheduling a public hearing for July 25, 2023, or such other date as determined by the Board, to consider adopting, amending, or...
In accordance with California Health and Safety Code Section 13869.7, I have attached a copy of the District’s proposed ordinance 13-2023 adopting and amending the 2022 California Fire Code. The Ordinance, which includes the District’s findings supporting its amendments to the Fire Code (see Health and Safety Code Section 18941.5), will be introduced for first reading, and discussion, at the District Board’s meeting on Tuesday, April 25. The Board will hold its public hearing on Ordinance 13-2023 on Tuesday, May 30, at which time the Board may adopt the Ordinance. We would, of course, be happy to discuss the proposed Ordinance...
In the fire service, we treat all downed powerlines as ENERGIZED. Downed Power Line Safety Tips · If you see a downed power line, move away from it and anything touching it. The ground around power lines – up to 35 feet away – may be energized. · You cannot tell whether or not a power line is energized just by looking at it. You should assume that all downed power lines are live. · The proper way to move away from the power line is to shuffle away with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at...
We’ve Changed Our Name: We are EPiCEPiC for Emergency Preparedness in Communities is the new name of the district-wide 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation CERPP. Our Board of Directors thought it was time to lighten things up and showcase the organization’s evolution. Also it was a problem that CERPP rhymed with CERT, and the spelled-out name never fit on forms. Bonus: EPiC means something very positive, whereas CERPP was “just an acronym.” Your Communities Need You Please join the small, dedicated group of residents from around the fire district – Woodside, Portola Valley, Emerald Hills, Ladera, Los Trancos Woods, Skyline, and Vista Verde – who...
SMC Alert remains smcalert.info The San Mateo County alert and warning system is undergoing a major upgrade. The URL for SMC Alert will remain SMCAlert.info but our software will be changing from Everbridge to RAVE mobile alerting. Click on the link for more information. https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/update-smc-alert-san-mateo-countys-alert-system If you are already enrolled in SMC Alert your information has been transferred to the new system, you will continue to receive alerts as you have in the past. We encourage you to create a new account on the new SMC Alert so that you can access new innovative features and make any changes to your account. ...
Woodside Fire Selected for the National Community Wildfire Planning Assistance Program. Woodside Fire Protection District including the Town of Portola Valley, the Town of Woodside, and parts of unincorporated San Mateo County have been selected to receive wildfire planning assistance in 2021 under the national Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program (CPAW). The goal of the CPAW program is to reduce wildfire threat to homes and businesses while increasing public safety and community welfare. For more information click on the link below. https://www.communitywildfire.org/ 2021_CPAW_Media_Release_Woodside.pdf CPAW_Overview_Handout_2021.pdf
Stay one step ahead with Zonehaven Evacuation resources and information to help you stay informed, prepared, and safe. In the event of a wildfire or an emergency situation, law enforcement and fire agencies issue evacuation warnings or evacuation orders for impacted areas. These notices are issued for a Zone with an evacuation Status. Be informed ~ Find your zone. https://myzone.zonehaven.com/
PG&E has provided helpful information and links on where to go during a PSPS event. Please click on link below. Where_To_Go_For_Additional_Information.pdf
Sheltering in place can disrupt our routines and challenge our ability to tend to responsibilities, such as work and caring for loved ones. Understandably, we may become nervous or uncomfortable when sheltering in place. The following information can help you cope emotionally with this type of emergency. Click on the link below for more information Coping_with_Shelter_in_Place_Emergencies.pdf
CVS now has 13 new disposal kiosks for residents to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medicine. Visit www.smchealth.org/RxDisposal for a list of the San Mateo County Health System's 49 kiosks conveniently located throughout San Mateo County. San Mateo County now has over 50 medicine disposal locations available for residents to dispose of medicine safely. By taking your unwanted or expired medicine to one of the convenient kiosks listed below, you are protecting the environment, preventing overdoses and errors, and helping keep drugs away from kids and teens. Click on the link to find your nearest location: smchealth.org
All residents of San Mateo County are invited to join us in thedevelopment of the San Mateo County Hazard Mitigation Plan. • We want to hear about what concerns you the most andwhat impact disasters have had on you and your family.• We want your feedback throughout the planning process.• We want your edits and suggestions to the plan as draftsbecome available for review. Take the first step by submitting your response to the San MateoCounty Hazard Mitigation Public Survey! Click on the link below to take you to the survey. San Mateo County Survey
With the onset of summer months comes increased wildfire risk. As temperatures peak, humidity drops and the summer winds blow, the potential for wildland fires grows exponentially. Despite the efforts of the fire services, many homes are lost each year due to wildland and wildland urban interface fires. It is imperative that you prepare now to protect your home from such occurrences.
To assist homeowners and residents with creating Defensible Space, we have added several useful videos to our Defensible Space page.
Fire Department personnel will soon be out in the neighborhoods reminding homeowners of the requirement for property owners to create defensible space around their homes. The Defensible Space area is the area where you’ve modified the landscaping to give your home the best chance to survive during a wildfire – greatly improving the odds for firefighters who are defending your neighborhood. “Defensible Space” area should be a minimum of 100 feet of clearance around your home (or up to your property line). If your home is on a slope or subject to high winds, extend the distance of this zone to...