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.
WHAT WE DO!
WE DO IT ALL!
Code Complaints
The Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety investigates complaints in multi-family residential buildings (four or more units) for violations of fire code, building code, and property maintenance code. Violations may include unsafe buildings, vehicle, trash, weeds, debris storage or substandard living conditions.
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Fire Investigations
Our primary role as Fire Investigators is to determine origin and cause for all types of fires (kitchen, garage, barbeque, vegetation and arson fires). We are certified by the California State Fire Marshal as Investigators. We work closely with the Building Departments, PG&E, American Red Cross and a myriad of other agencies. After the fire we write a comprehensive Fire Investigation Report and potentially testify in court.
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Inspections
The Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety performs a myriad of different types of inspections. This includes but is not limited to; state mandated inspections, construction inspections, commercial business inspections (CIP), multi-residential exterior inspections (MRIP), new business inspections, ERRC and building fire inspections.
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Plan Review & Code Consultation
Before any construction takes place, plans are submitted for review. Our Bureau completes Fire Life Safety Plan Reviews, which include but are not limited to; automatic fire sprinklers, fire alarm systems, hood and duct systems, ERRC and building plan reviews. We work closely with our building departments to ensure optimum public safety and satisfaction.
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Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
Wild fires have always been a concern in wild land urban interface areas. The Bureau of Fire Protection and Life Safety is responsible for insuring the maintenance of vegetation and defensible space within these areas. We currently conduct spot inspections and enforcement in the wild land urban interface areas and oversee vegetation management programs at the beginning of every fire season.
