HISTORY
HISTORY
The San Mateo Consolidated (SMC) Fire Department officially commenced operations on January 13, 2019. The department was formed by the establishment of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and represents the merger of fire departments in San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont. At that time, it was the first JPA to commence operations in the State of California in nearly a decade.
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SMC Fire has over 260 years of combined history providing emergency services in the three communities. The new department is staffed by 154 personnel that provide emergency services utilizing 10 engine companies and two ladder trucks from the existing nine fire stations. The consolidation allows SMC Fire to continue providing comprehensive emergency response services to all three cities in a more cost-effective way, while maintaining the high level of service the communities rely upon.
The efforts to explore this collaboration began in 2010 when Foster City and San Mateo agreed to share duties of then Fire Chief Dan Belville. Over the next two years, the two cities expanded their partnership to include other key Command Staff positions. In 2013, under the leadership of Fire Chief Mike Keefe, the City of Belmont/Belmont Fire Protection District joined the partnership. At that time, the three cities agreed to share, jointly staff, and relocate the Foster City Ladder Truck to a centralized location that better served the three communities. In 2015, newly appointed Fire Chief John Healy was directed by the three City Managers to study the viability of completing the merger of all fire protection services. The goal was to continue to provide the same high-quality emergency services in a more sustainable model. Staff from the cities and fire departments explored available options and determined a JPA was the most viable option.
The JPA was officially established on November 22, 2017, and on January 13, 2019, SMC Fire commenced operations as an independent fire department.
The San Mateo Consolidated (SMC) Fire Department officially commenced operations on January 13, 2019. The department was formed by the establishment of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and represents the merger of fire departments in San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont. At that time, it was the first JPA to commence operations in the State of California in nearly a decade.
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SMC Fire has over 260 years of combined history providing emergency services in the three communities. The new department is staffed by 154 personnel that provide emergency services utilizing 10 engine companies and two ladder trucks from the existing nine fire stations. The consolidation allows SMC Fire to continue providing comprehensive emergency response services to all three cities in a more cost-effective way, while maintaining the high level of service the communities rely upon.
The efforts to explore this collaboration began in 2010 when Foster City and San Mateo agreed to share duties of then Fire Chief Dan Belville. Over the next two years, the two cities expanded their partnership to include other key Command Staff positions. In 2013, under the leadership of Fire Chief Mike Keefe, the City of Belmont/Belmont Fire Protection District joined the partnership. At that time, the three cities agreed to share, jointly staff, and relocate the Foster City Ladder Truck to a centralized location that better served the three communities. In 2015, newly appointed Fire Chief John Healy was directed by the three City Managers to study the viability of completing the merger of all fire protection services. The goal was to continue to provide the same high-quality emergency services in a more sustainable model. Staff from the cities and fire departments explored available options and determined a JPA was the most viable option.
The JPA was officially established on November 22, 2017, and on January 13, 2019, SMC Fire commenced operations as an independent fire department.
CERT CLASS INFORMATION AND OVERVIEW
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Classes are about readiness, people helping people, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. CERT is a positive and realistic approach to emergency and disaster situations where citizens will be initially on their own and their actions can make a difference. Through training, citizens can manage utilities and put out small fires; treat the "three killers" by opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock; provide basic medical aid; search for and rescue victims safely; and organize themselves and spontaneous volunteers to be effective.
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Over the course of the CERT program you’ll learn the most up to date information through hands-on training in basic disaster preparedness, use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid training, search and rescue techniques, communicating through FRS radios and neighborhood team building. Participants of the program will learn lifesaving skills, rescuer safety, and doing the greatest good for the greatest number. Each of the CERT modules (except Radios) is covered in the Participant Manual, and will be fully illustrated and explained during the class (the radios class has a separate handout of information).
Please review each Chapter in the Participant Manual before each class so that way you will be familiar with the topic and ready with any questions you may have for the Instructor.
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The last class of the series will be a Skills Day. During this extended Saturday or Sunday class, students will get a chance to practice the individual skills they learned in class, with fellow members of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department CERT who have qualified as an Instructor for that skill. This is a very full and fun day, and includes your graduation ceremony and presentation of your membership credentials and CERT equipment backpack (for those who live in the cities SMCFD serves).
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All about CERT
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Earthquake type, magnitude, history and probability.
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How to prepare before something happens.
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CERT Incident Command System
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Chain of Command
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CERT Activation
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CERT Documentation
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Disaster Psychology
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Taking care of yourself & your team
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Minor burns
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Applying splints to arms and legs
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Practicing Disaster Medical Skills
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Opening airways, stopping bleeding and controlling shock
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Medical Treatment Area
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Triage (START)
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Natural gas, water, and electrical controls: Why, When, and How to shut them off.
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Types of fire and when to use a fire extinguisher to put them out.
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Hazardous materials at home, work, and on the road.
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Classify damaged buildings
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Search and rescue
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Lifting heavy objects and mechanical advantage
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Terrorism
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WMD
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Signs to look out for
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Active Shooter
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CERT assistance
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Extinguishing fire
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Triaging and treating victims
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Extricating a victim trapped by heavy timbers
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Interior search for reported missing person
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Use of Radio and messaging