Case Study: City of Oakland achieves reduced wildfire risk and faster field inspections with Accela

Oakland, CA A Modern Approach to Fire Prevention

The City of Oakland Fire Department, serving 425,000 residents across 77 square miles, faced a major fire-prevention challenge in the high-risk Oakland Hills. Two divisions jointly conduct about 28,000 vegetation inspections a year, but inspectors relied on paper forms, spent weeks preparing and collecting paperwork, and often lost progress when called to emergencies—undermining efficiency, accuracy and timeliness.

Oakland implemented the Accela Civic Platform with partners TruePoint Solutions and CityGovApp to mobilize inspections. Inspectors now use a mobile app to access daily inspection lists, GIS parcel maps, property data and attach photos in the field, picking up work after interruptions. The result: far fewer prep hours, more complete inspections done in less time, clearer assignment of violations, better transparency across agencies and reduced wildfire risk.

City of Oakland

Anthony Sanders

Fire Captain