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.
​
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.
CARBON MONOXIDE AND SMOKE DETECTORS
Smoke Detectors
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Installation
Install smoke detectors in each sleeping room and at a point centrally located in the corridor giving access to each bedroom hallway. Make sure to install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement.
Test Often
Test your smoke detectors monthly and change the batteries once a year, or when the detector is "chirping", indicating that the battery is low. If you are hearing impaired, use tested and approved smoke detectors that trigger a strobe light.
Learn More
The American Red Cross and its partners have launched an initiative that aims to reduce deaths and injuries caused by home fires by 25% in five years with the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.
10 Simple Home Fire Safety Tips
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Practice smoke-alarm maintenance for a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths.
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A simple reminder form the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer Max® brand batteries: When you change your clocks, change the battery in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. This can help save lives.
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Test your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they are working and replace smoke alarms according to manufacturer recommendations.
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Have at least one working smoke alarm on each level of your home.
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Plan, discuss and practice a fire escape route with your family.
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Do not rely on your sense of smell to alert you that you and your family are in danger of being trapped during a fire.
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Be sure not to ignore the chirping sound your smoke alarm makes when maintenance is required.
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Keep fire-starting materials away from children, including lighters, matches, cigarettes, cigars and pipes.
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Use flashlights rather than candles to light your home during power outages.
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Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a three-foot (one meter) clearance from anything that can burn and should always be turned off and unplugged when leaving the room or going to sleep.
For additional information, please click here for a Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detector Handout.