Fire Department
Our Guiding Principle
“Leaders in Training, enhanced emergency medical services, and professionalism”
Contact Us
Salinas, California 93901
(831) 758-7261
(831) 758-7265
Firefighters play a vital role in the community. The Salinas Fire Department is responsible for protecting life, property, and the environment from the hazards of fire, explosions, and hazardous materials incidents. The Salinas Fire Department also provides firefighter paramedics who are trained to provide advanced life support. Salinas Fire crews are often the first persons to arrive at the scene of any incident in the city. They have the skills and confidence to perform effectively in emergency situations protecting the life and property of the residents. The Salinas Fire Department also educates the public in fire safety and prevention,
and enforces the safety codes designed to provide
a healthier and more secure environment for all.
All members of the Salinas Fire Department are committed to respond to any emergency at any time and with professionalism and excellence in training to bring the situation under control.
Salinas City limits cover approximately 19.25 square miles. The Salinas Fire Department presently has six stations with the plans and land allocated for station seven. Salinas has a contract with Salinas Rural Fire Protection District to provide fire protection services to a portion of their Fire Protection District. This brings the total protection area for Salinas to approximately 35 square miles.
The department operates with three platoons, (A, B, and C). Each platoon has Engine Companies that are made up of a Captain, Engineer, and Firefighter, with one of the members of the crew being a paramedic. This crew is the initial respondents to 911 calls for help. Each platoon has a Battalion Chief who commands the personnel on duty for their respective shifts. In 2007, these teams responded to a total of 11,006 calls with a minimum of 23 personnel assigned each day. Total suppression staffing for the Fire Department is 90 personnel.
The department staffs six fire pumpers, a 105 foot ladder truck and one paramedic rescue squad. In 2003, the Hazardous Materials team was reorganized as the "Monterey Operational Area Hazardous Materials Response Team". The team is divided into two divisions, the Inland Division and the Coastal Division. In addition, the Salinas Fire Department has added an Aircraft Rescue Firefighting Vehicle (ARFF). The ARFF is a specialized piece of equipment which is designed specifically for aircraft. It is housed at the airport and in the event of an aircraft emergency, Salinas Firefighters will staff the vehicle and respond. The department also has a Dry-Chem unit, a specialized unit for airport responses housed at station 4, which will also respond to airport emergencies. There are three wildland brush patrol units available for response in the city.
The Salinas Fire Department has a minimum of 5 firefighter paramedics on duty each day who respond to all 911 calls for medical assistance. The quick response by firefighter paramedics on the fire engines stationed throughout the city provides more immediate care during those initial critical minutes of medical emergencies.
Providing for the overall management of the Fire Department is the Fire Administration. The Fire Administration is made up of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Training and Emergency Medical Services Battalion Chief, and 2 Administrative Assistants.
The Fire Prevention Bureau conducts plan checks, sprinkler system checks, and building inspections relative to the fire prevention and fire protection systems. The Fire Prevention Bureau is staffed by the Fire Marshal and three Fire Inspectors. Fire investigations are also performed by the Fire Prevention staff.
Disaster preparedness is another responsibility of the Fire Department. The Fire Marshal is the Disaster Preparedness Officer for the City of Salinas. Through this appointment, he is responsible for and participates in the planning, development, and promotion of disaster preparedness plans and programs for the entire city.
The men and women of the Salinas Fire Department are committed to serving the citizens of Salinas at any time, in any emergency with respect, trust, and support.