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.
Public Education Program
To help our citizens protect their families and their property during that period until help arrives, San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (SMCFD) offers the following classes/courses:
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CERT:
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) core training is a dynamic and engaging eight (8) week course where participants can learn life-saving skills, preparedness and more. Each class is approximately two and a half (2.5) hours. Pre-registration is required. Participants in this 25-hour series of classes will learn basic emergency skills and how to work within neighborhood teams.
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CPR/AED:
Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a critical life skill that can assist the average citizen to save someone's life. The SMCFD Office of Emergency Services offers classes to residents of (or individuals who work in) Belmont, Foster City and San Mateo. This course includes training on adult/child CPR, choking, and the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). There is a class fee per person.
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First Aid:
First Aid classes are offered by the SMCFD Office of Emergency Services and can be useful in a variety of every-day situations. There is a class fee per person and is offered to residents of (or individuals who work in) Belmont, Foster City, & San Mateo.​​​
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Get Ready! classes are designed to help citizens prepare for any scale of emergency. Get Ready! classes are free to residents of (or individuals who work in) Belmont, Foster City, & San Mateo, and are offered to community groups by appointment and periodically throughout the year.​
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To register for any of our Public Education classes/courses, please register on our Eventbrite page with the class/course you are interested in. If you don't see the class/course listed, we will be adding more classes soon so check back again in 2021! If you have any questions, please email prepare@smcfire.org or call (650) 522-7963.
See the SMCFD public education refund policy here.
In addition to the classes above, SMCFD participates in community outreach and offers the following services:
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Public speaking offering personal preparedness and self-preservation
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Community Safety Fairs & Displays
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Literature for preparing your school, business, and/or home for a disaster
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Please note that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, CPR/AED and First Aid classes have been postponed. We are working to transition these classes to a "hybrid" model, following all safety protocols and the curriculum of the American Heart Association. Keep an eye out for classes and registration.
Residents and businesses served by SMCFD are encouraged to take advantage of these programs.
Contact the Office of Emergency Services for more details on these programs.