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.
STATIONS & APPARATUS
Fire Station 14
911 Granada Street, Belmont
Engine 14—3 personnel
Hazmat 14—cross-staffed
Fire Station 15
2701 Cipriani Boulevard, Belmont
Engine 15—3 personnel
Fire Station 21
120 S. Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo
Engine 21—3 personnel
Truck 21—4 personnel
Fire Station 23
31 West 27th Avenue, San Mateo
Engine 23—3 personnel
Truck 23—4 personnel
Battalion Chief 5—1 personnel
Fire Station 24
319 S. Humboldt Street, San Mateo
Engine 24—3 personnel
Fire Station 25
1455 Shafter Street, San Mateo
Engine 25—3 personnel
Fire Station 26
1500 Marina Court, San Mateo
Engine 26—3 personnel
Fire Station 27
1801 DeAnza Boulevard, San Mateo
Engine 27—3 personnel
OES Engine 405—cross-staffed
Fire Station 28
1040 E. Hillsdale Boulevard, Foster City
Engine 28—3 personnel
Engine 29—3 personnel
Boat/Jet Ski 28—cross-staffed
Fire Engines
Each Fire Station has one fire engine staffed by one Fire Captain and two Firefighter/Engineers. Fire Station 28 in Foster City has two fire engines. One member of the Engine Company is a Paramedic. Most of our Firefighters have special skills including, but not limited to, rescue systems, confined space, swift water, and hazardous materials.
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Fire Aerial Ladder Trucks
We staff two, 100' tractor drawn aerial ladder trucks, one out of Fire Station 21 and the other out of Fire Station 23. The trucks respond to all major incidents in the community. These trucks carry special equipment including "the jaws of life," ladders, heavy rescue equipment, jacks, saws, pumps, and many other special tools. The truck is staffed by one Fire Captain and three Firefighters. One member of the Truck Company is a Paramedic.