San Marcos Fire Department, San Marcos, CA

Throughout its 70 year history, the San Marcos Fire Department (SMFD) has provided efficient and trustworthy public service to the citizens and visitors of San Marcos, California. The department’s 76 employees provide fire suppression and prevention, rescue, emergency medical response, education, and emergency preparedness services to the approximately 85,000 inhabitants of the San Marcos Fire Protection District (SMFPD).

The San Marcos Fire Department constantly strives to provide the best service possible for its citizens. Thus, when resources started to tighten and administrative tasks began to impede the regular work of on-duty personnel, the fire management team at the SMFD sought a fiscally responsible solution. In 2003 they began a program that utilized the expertise of citizen volunteers to relieve their on-duty firefighters of administrative and other tasks. One year after the initiation of this program, the San Marcos Fire Department became one of the first departments to participate in Fire Corps.

Currently, the SMFD has two innovative projects in operation. The first is their Senior Fire Volunteers Program, which allows senior volunteers to work on projects related to fire safety, public education, mapping, and minor equipment maintenance. The five senior fire volunteers also respond to extended emergency incidents, assisting fire personnel by providing food, water, and replenishing air bottles. The second program is a Trauma Intervention Program in which volunteers serve alongside emergency services personnel during traumatic events such as structure fire and injury traffic incidents.

In honor of its achievements, the SMFD was awarded the 2004 California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence, which recognizes unique contributions to the community that have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services.

For more information about the San Marcos Fire Department, contact Fire Chief Larry Web at 760-744-1050 or lwebb@ci.san-marcos.ca.us.