Fire Department
Leaders in training, enhanced emergency medical services, and professionalism.
Firefighters play a vital role in our community. The Salinas Fire Department (SFD) is responsible for protecting life, property, and the environment from the hazards of fire, explosions, and hazardous materials incidents.
All members of the SFD are committed to respond to any emergency at any time and with professionalism and excellence in training to bring the situation under control. Salinas City limits cover approximately 23 square miles. The SFD presently has six stations with the plans and land allocated for station seven. SFD has a contract with Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District (MCRFD) to provide fire protection services to a portion of their District. This brings the total protection area for Salinas to approximately 55 square miles.
The men and women of the SFD are dedicated to serving the residents of Salinas at any time, in any emergency with respect, trust, and dedication.
What We Do
One of SFD's primary goals is to promote fire safety in the home. The SFD uses a mix of published safety information, firehouse tours, school visits, and Sparky the Fire Dog to get the fire and life safety message out. The FPD staff is also charged by State law to regularly inspect occupancies such as places of assembly, schools, multi-family dwellings, residential care facilities, and healthcare facilities.
We are always your first responders. The Salinas Fire Department has a minimum of 8 firefighter paramedics on duty each day who respond to all 911 calls for medical assistance. The quick response by firefighter paramedics on the fire engines and truck companies stationed throughout the city provides more immediate care during those initial critical minutes of medical emergencies.
Disaster preparedness is another responsibility of the SFD. Currently, due to budget cuts, the Fire Chief and the department's CERT instructor are the Disaster Preparedness Officers for the City of Salinas. Through this appointment, they are responsible for and participate in the planning, development, and promotion of disaster preparedness plans and programs for the entire city.
We help keep you safe behind the scenes. The FPD staff conducts fire plans examination and inspections of new construction, and permitting and inspection of fire protection systems, hazardous operations, special events, and special occupancies. This division is made up of a Fire Marshal, 3 Fire Inspectors, and one part-time Fire Plan Checker. They are supported by one full-time office technician. The Salinas Fire Department emphasizes that the FPD staff take a balanced and uniform approach to application of the fire codes and regulations that affect the citizens, business, and the environment.
Fire Department Management
Providing for the overall management of the Fire Department is Fire Administration. Fire Administration is made up of the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, Training Battalion Chief, and 2 administrative Captains. Two Administrative Assistants support Fire Administration.
What's Happening for Fire Department
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Firefighter Stair climb

On March 16, 2022, five of your Salinas Firefighters participated in the 31st annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) Firefighter Stair climb at the Columbia Tower in Seattle, Washington.
Your Salinas Firefighters Shane VanderVeen, Dave Furey, Chris Knapp, Jesus Ramirez, and Sean Valenzuela climbed 69 floors of stairs and 1,356 steps to reach the Sky View Observatory. They completed the challenge in full turnout gear, while on-air. 2,000 firefighters around the world ascend the tower to support the mission of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. All money raised helps fund blood cancer research and...
Anonymous Donation identified for Purchase of New Badges

The Salinas Fire Department received a generous donation from a local resident to be used for fire department needs. The uniform committee decided to utilize the donation to purchase new badges for Fire staff. This donation provided Salinas firefighters with a new and unique opportunity - the ability to obtain numbered badges based on academy completion, year and rank. Under the direction of Fire Chief Michele Vaughn, the creation of a new badge product was approved.
The uniform committee chose the Ed Jones Company, a local Bay Area company founded in 1898 that is...
Ammonia Safety Day

The Salinas Fire Department Hazmat team annually participates the Salinas Valley Ammonia Safety Day. Participation include interaction in classes and workshops. They also teach and facilitate classes and workshops for the industry.
This year, the event took place virtually and Fire Chief Michele Vaughn was a guest speaker. Her presentation focused on Government, Industry and First responders working together to prevent Hazardous Materials release and how to best mitigate the incident. Great job to our Hazmat team and Chief Vaughn.
2023 Fireworks Stand Lottery

The City of Salinas Fire Department is thrilled to announce that applications for the 2023 Fireworks Stand Lottery will be accepted beginning February 6, 2022. Applications are available online at www.cityofsalinas.org under the Fire Prevention page and will also be available at the City’s Permit Center, located at 65 West Alisal Street, Salinas, CA 93901. Completed applications must be received by 4:00 PM on Friday February 24, 2023.
Once again, this year there will be 18 fireworks stands allowed in the City of Salinas.
Nonprofit organizations such as schools or school...
SFD Brings CPR Technology to Salinas

The Salinas Fire Department (SFD) has brought a new CPR technology to our community. The Lucas Device is a backpack sized CPR technology designed to increase opportunities for better patient outcomes . It’s placed around the chest of a patient in need of CPR and uses a plunger like motion to provide continuous chest compressions to the patient.
“The Lucas Device will help Salinas Fire provide the best quality service to our community,” said SFD Captain Ryan Alexander. “This device allows CPR to be conducted in situations where compressions...
2022 Abbott Incident

The Abbott Incident that began shortly after 7:15pm on Wednesday, April 13, 2022, has transitioned to monitoring and clean-up phases of the incident. The City of Salinas and Salinas Fire Department (SFD) are thankful to the community for adhering to emergency advisories and to the multiple agencies from across Monterey County and from the State who provided aid throughout this incident.
SFD arrived on scene within 3 minutes to 1225 Abbott Street known as the Taylor Farms Processing Facility in response to a fire alarm. As the fire progressed to a 4-alarm...