Lock Boxes Safe For Firefighter Access

Sonora, CA — The City of Sonora Fire Department encourages lock boxes for keys to allow fire department personnel to enter commercial and residential homes. Recent media attention regarding missing lock box keys, after an audit in Sacramento, has drawn attention to the issue.

Fire Captain Matt Slusher says “There were some recent developments in the region, but the security of our fire department keys is really important and we keep them locked in our apparatus.”

Regarding the response to the Sonora Elementary School fire, Captain Slusher says, “We were able to access the lock box to open buildings up, using the keys, we were able to gain access in suppressing the fire.”

Captain Slusher encourages the purchasing and installation of lock boxes for commercial and residential building. It is with the use of these lock boxes that they are routinely able to get access without causing damage to the building.

Captain Slusher says “During an emergency, time is of the essence; it is paramount that fire department personnel are able to access the area of the emergency to provide life safety and property conservation. When fire department personnel use these lock boxes it often saves significant time and damage to the occupancy.”

For questions about the lock box and key system contact the City of Sonora Fire Department at (209) 532-7432.