Over a period of several years, across the United States and commencing about 25 years ago there were several jail fires that caused large amounts of toxic smoke. These fireswere mostly in "safety cells," which had walls and floors covered with soft material designed to prevent inmates from harming themselves. The padded lining of the cells was set on fire by inmates and large amounts of smoke developed, leading to the death of a number of inmates at these institutions.

As a result of these deaths the California Board of Corrections promulgated regulations, contained in Title 24, Minimum Standards for Facilities that required breathing apparatus in all jail facilities in the State. After a number of years a local jurisdiction filed suit with the State claiming that this was a mandated cost that should be borne by the State. The local jurisdiction view was upheld and the cost of the breathing apparatus for jails was shifted from local jurisdictions to the State of California, which continued to pay for breathing apparatus for a number of years.

In the intervening years less flammable and less toxic materials were developed and installed in jail facilities. The new materials combined with professional jail management, resulted in no fires that lead to loss of life for several years. This, combined with the need to cut budgets, prompted the State to change the regulations and to leave the decision on whether or not to have breathing apparatus in jail facilities to local jurisdictions working with their local fire marshal.

FINDINGS

The self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is installed and available for use in all facilities operated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff. SCBA units can also be found in most facilities run by local jurisdictions. The most notable exceptions have been the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

In the area of fire safety, the Sheriff's Department represents a model to be emulated by all police and custody agencies in the County of Los Angeles. Personnel are well trained and show a positive approach to their responsibilities.

The Jails Committee of the Grand Jury found only one Sheriff's facility that did not have an air tank, i.e., the Pomona Municipal Court Lockup. There were several other situations in which the Jails Committee found that SCBA units were not easily available in case of smoke and fire. These were:

1. During the installation of a Live Scan (finger printing machine) the closet that contained the air tanks could not be opened since equipment was piled in front of the door.

2. A floor mat placed on the floor kept the door of the closet containing the air tanks from opening easily and quickly.

3. Various types of equipment occasionally piled on the floor, made access to the air tanks difficult, especially in an emergency situation.

The above situations were rare and in some cases may even have been transitory. In all three of the above cases the situation was in areas under the supervision of the Court Services Division of the Sheriff's Department and are mentioned here only to assist the Sheriff's Department in their inspections.

Los Angeles County Probation Department

The lack of fire safety equipment in Los Angeles County Probation Department juvenile halls, camps and court areas was notable. Probation staff did not have knowledge of air tanks (SCBA) or seem to know what would be done if access to locked doors was limited due to a serious smoke situation. In Local Juvenile Facility Guidelines for Physical Plant Standards Title 24, California Code of Regulations Minimum Standards for Juvenile Facilities, it states on page iii,

"Locked doors have been a major factor in loss of life in facility fires. Often there is insufficient time for manually unlocking every door. Deaths have occurred due to staff's inability to unlock doors during a fire. Staff have been hampered by the rapidly developing fire and the spread of thick smoke in corridors."

With this in mind, the lack of air tanks as part of a well developed plan for evacuation has the potential for a major disaster.

Los Angeles Police Department

The Los Angeles Police Department is notable for its lack of air tanks at Divisional stations. A recent evaluation of the situation was made by the LAPD Commander, Fiscal andSupport Bureau. It was determined that air tanks would be of benefit to the safety of inmates in case of a fire. The Los Angeles Police Department will be seeking funding to provide air tanks at all of its lock up facilities.

Montebello (Private, Correctional Systems, Inc. [CSI])

This facility does not have air tanks. The Jails Committee was told that they were not needed as this was a very new facility with easy access to exits and that the danger to inmates was minimal. This jail, following the most modern of building codes, has exit signs at all doors leading out. Not only do they have the signs near the top of the door, but they also have exit signs at ground level. The ground level signs are there so individuals caught in heavy smoke could crawl and find the exit. The question needs to be asked how inmates will get out of their locked cells in heavy smoke and find their way to exit doors if they do not have a jailer with an air tank to lead them.

Other Jail Facilities

Most other jail facilities in the County have air tanks for the safety of those in custody. A few jurisdictions have taken the option of not providing this safety tool and current regulations permit these detention authorities to decide this issue on a local basis.

RECOMMENDATIONS

It is recommended that:

1. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department include SCBA equipment, both accessibility and condition, in all future facility inspection criteria.

2. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Court Services Division acquire Walkaway Bracket (part number UN 6-30-3-SF) for all Mark 2 SCBA units which are not currently stored in an accessible area enabling these units to be hung on walls for ready access.

3. The Los Angeles Police Commission and the Los Angeles City Council approve the recommendations of the Fiscal and Support Bureau of the Los Angeles Police Department to provide funding to equip all LAPD jail facilities with air tanks (SCBA).

4. The Los Angeles County Probation Department conduct an in-depth study on fire safety and evacuation readiness at all it's facilities and that the need for air tanks (SCBA) be specifically evaluated, especially in Juvenile Halls and locked Intensive Care areas.

5. All jurisdictions that do not provide air tanks (SCBA) in their facilities conduct a study on current safety needs in facilities. They should undertake a cost benefit analysis and weight this in light of the potential for saving lives.