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Our department has been providing the residents of San Mateo County & unincorporated areas the highest quality of service since 1962. We pride ourself using the best practices and most up to date technology and equipment that safeguards our community.

Our Mission

The mission of the San Mateo County Fire Department is to protect the life, property, and natural resources of its citizens and visitors through effective emergency response, incident mitigation, preparedness, education, and prevention.

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CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz CAL FIRE

CZU San Mateo-Santa Cruz CAL FIRE
At Brews and Views at the Half Moon Bay Brewery, CAL FIRE/Coastside Deputy Fire Marshall Jordan Motta and other subject matter experts discussed living in the Wildland Urban Interface, Defensible Space, and Home Hardening. UC Master Gardeners Cynthia Nations, Alison Williams, and Stephanie Erskine joined the presenters and offered their expertise to the enthusiastic crowd. As agents of the University, UC Master Gardeners provide people in their communities with current research-based information on everything related to home horticulture, sustainable landscape practices, pest management and more. These master gardeners offered their unique insight into planting vegetation that makes sense while living in the WUI. As a bonus, San Mateo County Public Safety Communications (PSC) Dispatch Operations Fire Operations Manager Jennifer Key and Dispatch Supervisor Mele Afu-Long joined the discussion, as did Department of Emergency Management District Coordinator David Cosgrave. It was an evening of great information and learning. Please enjoy watching the discussion here.
In late April 2023, CAL FIRE CZU held its annual B Faller Training. This year, it was held in the San Vicente Redwoods in Santa Cruz County. Many people in this class are at the firefighter, engineer, or fire captain level. These are the men and women on the front lines who use this critical skill year-round, taking down hazardous trees during winter storms, trees that could fall across roads blocking evacuation routes, and trees on fire threatening containment lines constructed during wildfires. It is imperative that they know how to safely fell a tree in an emergency situation. An "A" Faller is qualified to use a chainsaw to cut brush, a "B" Faller is qualified to cut trees 8” – 24” DBH (Diameter or Breast Height) and a "C" Faller is qualified to cut trees greater than 24" DBH. NOTE: Shaded fuel breaks are strips of land in which vegetation has been modified to act as strategic “defensible landscape.” The purpose is to reduce the amount of combustible material so that when a fire hits the shaded fuel break it will decrease in intensity, cool down, and drop from the canopy to the ground. Along roadways, shaded fuel breaks create safer routes for everyone.
On April 26, 2023 in the mid-afternoon, Firefighters with CAL FIRE, Coastside Fire, and San Mateo County Fire responded to a two story house on Beach Avenue in Half Moon Bay that was filling up with smoke. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the cause is under investigation.
Coastside Fire Protection District is celebrating two new fire engines that will service the coast. Today, firefighters conducted the traditional engine push-in, pushing the 46,800 lbs engine into the apparatus bay. The ceremony dates back to the early days of firefighting when horse-drawn fire engines were used. The new Engines 40 and 41 will be housed in Half Moon Bay and El Granada, respectively. The old Engines 40 and 41 will be held in reserve.
The crew of Engine 40 from CAL FIRE, Coastside Fire Protection District responded to and extinguished a vehicle fire near the Tunitas Creek Beach parking lot last night. Fortunately, there were no injuries. The cause is under investigation. CHP - Redwood City and San Mateo County Sheriff's Office assisted.
CAL FIRE CZU has received a new Terra Torch. It is a high-performance ground ignition system designed for wildfire prevention and prescribed burns. The Terra Torch will be housed at CZU, and can be loaned out to neighboring CAL FIRE units if requested. This is another effective tool to add to our prescribed fire toolkit as we work to improve the health of our forests and ecosystem. #GoodFire
CAL FIRE, Coastside and San Mateo County firefighters rescued two surfers who were stuck at the bottom of a cliff. San Mateo County Harbor Patrol, Coast Guard, San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, CA State Parks also responded. All rescues are added experience for our firefighters, and rescues like these are the reason we are here.
A group of geologists is touring Soquel Demonstration State Forest 🌲 after recent storms damaged several roads, making it impossible for fire engines to pass. They are paying close attention to the 2012 Large Woody Debris & Habitat project, where large redwoods were used to fortify roads and build habitat. 🐟🐸 🛑🛑 The forest is closed for public safety while repairs are made. 🛑🛑
This week, crews have been burning piles of dead vegetation along a strategic ridge in the Soquel Demonstration State Forest. This prescribed fire along the ridgeline called "Long Ridge" is getting rid of downed, dead trees and forest litter that's been building on the forest floor for years. The burn of 533 piles is taking place across 57 acres of the forest. <br />This project is funded by our Forest Health Grant, which we received in partnership with CAL POLY Swanton Pacific Ranch. It's a multi-year project that will reduce dead and dying vegetation in the forest, which will allow native vegetation to flourish, give our firefighters areas to take a stand against a fire, and make the region more fire-safe.
The San Mateo County Coast suffered a lot of damage from last night's storm. We are expecting more rain, and the ground is already saturated. Another storm is expected to impact the region Sunday. CAL FIRE/Coastside Brian Pottenger has some tips for you to stay safe as we prepare for what's ahead.
Just after 11:00am today, a vehicle with two adults and two minors went over the cliff at Devil's Slide. Witnesses saw the accident and called 911. The vehicle plunged hundreds of feet and landed on the beach. All four patients were successfully rescued. Two were taken by ground ambulance, two by helicopter. All were in stable when taken to the hospital. Multiple agencies responded, including CAL FIRE, Coastside Fire Protection District, North County Fire Authority (Pacifica Fire Dept.), San Mateo County Harbor District (Pillar Point Harbor Patrol), California State Parks (San Mateo) CHP - Golden Gate Division Air Operations American Medical Response U. S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco County of San Mateo - Government
Coastside Fire, San Mateo County Fire, Pacifica Fire, Coastside Fire Volunteers, PG&E, and San Mateo County Sheriff's Office responded to a house fire on Coronado Street in El Granada. Around 11:30A.M., multiple witnesses called 911, reporting smoke from a home. All occupants were able to get out of the home on their own. The cause is under investigation.
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