San Diego Fire-Rescue Department


The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of San Diego, California, United States. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is currently the second largest municipal fire department in the state of California, after Los Angeles and responds to nearly 130,000 calls per year.

Organization

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is divided into 2 major Divisions: Emergency Operations and Support Services. Each of these Divisions are commanded by an Assistant Chief who oversees several subdivisions.

Helicopters

In the summer of 2002, the SDFD acquired a Bell 212HP with a water capacity. In 2005, the department acquired a Bell 412EP for their fleet. The two helicopters are known by their call signs Copter 1 and Copter 2, respectively. They are most commonly used during wildfires for helitack. They can also be used as air ambulances to lift injured personnel. On December 13, 2017 The City Council approved the purchase of one Sikorsky S-70i FireHawk Helicopter for $9.8 million. This will bring the number of Helicopters San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has to 3. The Council also approved using bond revenues to fund a $13.7 million hangar for its helicopters that will include living and office space. The facility will be built at Montgomery-Gibbs Executive Airport.

Operations

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department currently operates out of 49 Fire Stations, location throughout the city, organized into 7 Battalions.
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department also operates 25 Lifeguard Stations, 9 of which are permanently staffed.
There are two additional locations:
AddressApparatus
Air Operations BaseJohn J. Montgomery Dr & Aero DrCopter 1, Copter 2, Copter 3, Air Ops 1, Air Ops 2
Emergency Command & Dispatch CenterKearny Villa Rd & Aero DrCommunications 1

Battalion 1

Battalion 1 consists of 6 Fire stations and an ARFF Station and covers the heart of downtown San Diego including the San Diego International Airport. Engine 1 and Engine 201 are based at Station 1. The Battalion Chief is stationed at station 1.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitOther units
11222 First Ave.Engine 1, Engine 201Truck 1Medic 1Battalion 1, Light & Air 1, X-Ray 1, Chemical 1, Utility 81
2825 West Cedar St.Engine 2USAR 2, USAR Utility 1
3725 West Kalmia St.Engine 3
4404 8th Ave.Engine 4
7944 Cesar E. Chavez Pkwy.Engine 7
11945 25th St.Engine 11Truck 11Medic 11
ARFF Station3698 Pacific Hwy.Crash 1, Crash 2, Crash 3, Crash 5

Battalion 2

Battalion 2 consists of 7 Fire stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 5.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitBrush UnitOther units
53902 9th Ave.Engine 5Battalion 2
83974 Goldfinch St.Engine 8
144011 32nd St.Engine 14Truck 14Brush 14Shift Commander 1
184676 Felton St.Engine 18Medic 18OES417
232190 Comstock St.Engine 23Utility 82
283880 Kearny Villa Rd.Engine 28Truck 28Crash 28, Foam 28 & Water Tender 28
365855 Chateau Dr.Engine 36Medic 36

Battalion 3

Battalion 3 consists of 6 Fire stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 25.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitOther units
154711 Voltaire St.Engine 15Utility 83
203305 Kemper St.Engine 20Truck 20Medic 20Utility 20
21750 Grand Ave.Engine 21Truck 21Medic 21
221055 Catalina Blvd.Engine 22
251972 Chicago St.Engine 25Battalion 3
275064 Clairemont Dr.Engine 27

Battalion 4

Battalion 4 consists of 7 Fire stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 45.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitBrush UnitOther units
104605 62nd St.Engine 10Truck 10Brush 10Chem Rig 10
174206 Chamoune Ave.Engine 17
262850 54th St.Engine 26Medic 26
316002 Camino RicoEngine 31Medic 31Utility 84, Mobile Canteen 2, UDC Trailer,
346565 Cowles Mountain Blvd.Engine 34Brush 34
394949 La Cuenta Dr.Engine 39Medic 39
459366 Friars Rd.Engine 45Truck 45Battalion 4, HazMat 1, HazMat 2, HazMat 61, ERT 1

Battalion 5

Battalion 5 consists of 8 Fire stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 35.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitBrush UnitOther units
97870 Ardath LnEngine 9Medic 9UDC Trailer, MOD Squad
13809 Nautilus StEngine 13
162110 Via Casa AltaEngine 16
2413077 Hartfield AveEngine 24Medic 24Brush 24
354285 Eastgate MallEngine 35Truck 35Medic 35Brush 35Battalion 5, Utility 85
414914 Carroll Canyon Rd.Engine 41Medic 41USAR 41
476041 Edgewood Court BendEngine 47
563034 Governor Dr.Squad 56

Battalion 6

Battalion 6 consists of 9 Fire stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 12.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitBrush UnitOther units
6693 Twining Ave.Engine 6
124964 Imperial Ave.Engine 12Truck 12Medic 12Brush 12Battalion 6, Utility 86
193434 Ocean View Blvd.Engine 19Water Tender 19
29198 W. San Ysidro Blvd.Engine 29Truck 29Medic 29Brush 29
302265 Coronado Ave.Engine 30Medic 30
32484 Briarwood Rd.Engine 32Medic 32
431590 La Media Rd.Engine 43Brush 43Crash 43
517180 Skyline Dr.Engine 51
Squad 556135 Imperial Ave.Squad 55

Battalion 7

Battalion 7 consists of 8 Fire stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 44.
Fire Station NumberAddressEngine CompanyTruck CompanyMedic UnitOES or Brush UnitOther units
3316966 Bernardo Center Dr.Engine 33Medic 33OES 8631
3711640 Spring Canyon Rd.Engine 37Medic 37Brush 37
388441 New Salem St.Engine 38Medic 38
4013393 Salmon River Rd.Engine 40Truck 40Medic 40Brush 40Light & Air 40, Water Tender 40, Utility 40
4212110 World Trade Dr.Engine 42Medic 42
4410011 Black Mountain Rd.Engine 44Truck 44Medic 44Brush 44Battalion 7, Utility 87
4614556 Lazanja Dr.Engine 46
5717701 San Pasqual Valley Rd.Squad 57

Low Staffing Issues

The San Diego Fire Department is somewhat understaffed compared to comparable fire departments. For example, the fire department has about one firefighter per 1469 residents, compared to one fire fighter per 421 residents in San Francisco. Currently, the San Diego Fire Department is the lowest paid department in southern California. In comparison with other major cities with populations over 1 million, such as Los Angeles, the starting pay for a City of San Diego Fire Fighter is around $46,000. The City of San Diego no longer offers newly hired fire fighters a retirement pension after 20 years of service, new-hire recruits are offered a 401K plan instead.