Fire hazard at Palm Springs nursing home
Jacqueline Berman spotted a fire hazard while visiting a family member who is patient at California Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Palm Springs.
“I’m hearing the buzzing and we’ve got water and water and electricity don’t mix,” Berman said.
Berman says she saw an extension cord out in the rain.
“The cable was on the ground right next to the water going across up into a rain gutter,” Berman said.
The extension cord was running from a modular unit in the back of the facility along the grass toward this work area where it was making a connection in the drainpipe, a violation of fire code.
When Berman reported it to the fire department she says she was told they couldn’t investigate for a few days.
“He said maybe we have a trip and fall situation but certainly not an electrical hazard,” Berman said.
An employee at the facility told KESQ & CBS Local 2 the fire marshall had already come and the extension cord had been removed. We reached out to the fire marshall and haven’t heard back.
But what exactly is the best way to ensure an immediate response to a suspected safety hazard?
In his search to find out, KESQ & CBS Local 2’s Jake Ingrassia discovered the calling code enforcement for the City of Palm Springs leads to a voice mailbox that can take up to two days to get a response from an actual human.
Jake spoke with Captain Fernando Herrera of the Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department to find out what else can be done. Herrera said calling that jurisdiction’s fire marshall is the best bet.
“Those folks are certified inspectors through the state fire marshall’s office. Their job is primarily to do inspections and enforce the codes for all the buildings and businesses,” Herrera said.
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