The San Marino Fire Department recently held the first of its two comprehensive inspections, a three-day self-examination of the department’s personnel, facilities and equipment.
“These offer not only an opportunity to make sure standards are being maintained, but are also an opportunity to reset the standards if we feel that needs to happen,” said San Marino Fire Chief Mario Rueda.
Rueda reported that the SMFD passed the inspection.
“I am very pleased with the work of the firefighter/paramedics for this inspection, and proud to be a part of the fire department,” the chief added.
The inspection was overseen by Division Chiefs Mark Dondanville, Eric Zanatson and Chris Sczenzi.
Rueda will personally oversee the inspection that takes place in the fall. He said that the twice-yearly inspections are designed to complement the department’s daily, monthly and other periodic checks to assure that “100% of the time, everything works, and we are also prepared and proficient.”
“This inspection instills the importance of why we do all of these things on a regular basis,” said Rueda, who was hired in January 2016 and brought the notion of regular inspections with him from the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he had previously worked for 35 years.
“I think it’s an important part of making sure as a public safety agency that we do our due diligence,” said Rueda. “That every time we go to push the ‘start’ button, everything works like it’s supposed to.”
