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 - Fire Prevention Division
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
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.
New Paramedics

The Salinas Fire Department successfully secured a grant to send 3 firefighters to paramedic school at no cost to the City. Firefighters Maloney, Lynch, and Ramirez began the NCTI Paramedic Program in June of 2019. The program consisted of a six-month didactic classroom phase, two-month clinical Emergency Room rotation with our partners at SVMH, and three months of Paramedic Internship in collaboration with AMR in Monterey County. All three firefighters completed the paramedic program at the top of their class in August of 2020. They successfully passed the National Registry Requirements and are licensed and...
Mutual Aid Hazmat Incident

On 7/2/2020 at 14:53 hours, HM1 and HM22 responded to assist North County Fire with a possible meth lab found in a connex box.Upon entry, we found the environment to be stable and did not require any offensive actions. 1 of the three powders that were sampled we able to be identified as soda ash.
Mutual Aid Response

On Sunday, July 12th the Salinas Firefighters from Medic Engine 1 and Medic Truck 4, along with multiple agencies from the area responded to a structure fire in the City of Hollister.
The incident was a defensive fire, meaning that no firefighters were able to enter the building due to fire intensity. SFD personnel performed multiple roles as the incident was brought under control. We are proud to serve our community and offer our assistance in the mutual aid system.
New Recruits

We would like to welcome the five newest members of the Salinas Fire Department. They are currently training through our in house academy. The academy is being taught by our very own firefighters, who have years of experience and knowledge. Our lateral academy recruits are halfway through their training, bringing them one step closer to graduation. Once finished, they will join our team of firefighters on the line and help serve the community.