Salinas Fire officials crack down on fire extinguisher scammers

For nearly a decade the Salinas Fire Department said individuals have posed as representatives of the “Fire Marshal’s Office” or “inspectors” wanting to check on businesses fire extinguishers for cash.

In some instances fire officials said the individuals have threatened businesses with fines if they do not allow them to service fire extinguishers on the property and pay cash up front.

“Within the last two years, the frequency of these unannounced visits has increased and caught our attention as skeptical business owners contact our office to report the incidents,” says Salinas Fire Department Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal Samuel Klemek. “In Seaside, the fire department is receiving the same reports, and we are comparing notes,” Klemek says. “Most all cases seem to involve a company based in Gilroy operating under the name FIRESHIELD.”

The Office of the State Fire Marshal and local fire officials determined that FIRESHIELD and the people working there have been issued state licenses for performing fire extinguisher checks.

“In Salinas, FIRESHIELD has been operating under expired business licenses since 2013/2014” Klemek said, “and we do not intend to renew these licenses given the circumstances.”

Chief Klemek said that only uniformed inspectors with badges and official i.d. from the Salinas Fire Department can enforce the California Fire Code, local ordinances, and issue violations within city limits.

Fire officials want to encourage businesses that are confronted by aggressive individuals soliciting such services to get as much information from the individual as possible and report the information to your local Fire Department.

The Salinas Fire Marshal can be reached at 831-758-7466.