Country United States City San Diego Annual calls 129,880(2014) | State California Established August 5, 1889 Employees 1,256 | |
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The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) 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.
Contents
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 oversee several subdivisions.
Helicopters
In the summer of 2002, the SDFD acquired a Bell 212HP with a 375 U.S. gallons (1,420 L) 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.
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:
Battalion 1
Battalion 1 covers the heart of downtown San Diego and consists of 6 stations including one at the San Diego International Airport. The Battalion Chief is stationed at station 1.
Battalion 2
Battalion 2 consists of 7 stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 5.
Battalion 3
Battalion 3 consists of 6 stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 25.
Battalion 4
Battalion 4 consists of 7 stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 45.
Battalion 5
Battalion 5 consists of 7 stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 35.
Battalion 6
Battalion 6 consists of 8 stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 12.
Battalion 7
Battalion 7 consists of 7 stations with the Battalion Chief stationed at station 44.
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 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.