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.
MYTHS & FACTS
Myth: “When a fire occurs, every fire sprinkler head discharges water.”
Fact: Unlike Hollywood, fire sprinkler heads are individually activated by heat.
Myth: “Water damage from Fire Sprinklers will be more extensive than the fire damage itself."
Fact: Water damage from a home fire sprinkler system will be much less than the damage caused by water from firefighting hoses or the smoke and fire damage if the fire continues unabated.
Myth: “A smoke alarm is enough protection from fire.”
Fact: Smoke alarms save lives by providing a warning system but do nothing to extinguish a growing fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own. Battery operated smoke alarms often fail to work because the batteries are dead or have been removed.
Myth: “Fire sprinklers are designed to protect property but are not effective for life safety.”;
Fact: Fire sprinklers provide a high level of life safety. The NFPA has no record of a multiple death fire in a completely sprinklered public assembly, educational, institutional or residential building where the system was properly operating.
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Myth: "If I am a renter, my landlord's insurance will cover my possessions."
Fact: FALSE! The landlord's insurance only covers their property. For example, it does not include any item belonging to the renter. Renter's insurance is an important asset to consider when renting a new home.
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Myth: "If you are in a room when a clean agent suppression system activates you will instantly die because the system sucks all of the oxygen out of the room."
Fact: This is false, most systems just cool the room. In systems with inert gas the oxygen content does get reduced but per code must remain at safe levels for occupied spaces.
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Myth: "I am not doing major construction so I do not need a permit."
Fact: This is not accurate, you need to obtain a permit for nearly all work done on your property. This ensures that the property is safe and built to current building standards. Also, this prevents additional fines for performing work without a permit. The Fire Department will review your plans to ensure fire life safety and determine if additional fire protection features are required.