The Department operates over 30 pieces of some of the most modern emergency apparatus in northern California.
Both volunteer and full-time firefighters participate in live-fire training burns. Firefighters learn invaluable skills and techniques during these drills.
Firefighters attend training for airport rescues and firefighting skills, one of the many rigorous training programs Chico Fire Department personnel participate in.
Volunteer Firefighter applicants must perform a series of physical agility tests before qualifying to be volunteer firefighters with Company 1.
About Us
The City of Chico Fire Department, under the command of Fire Chief Steve Brown, has 75 full-time personnel, 72 of which are uniformed. The department also maintains a force of 25 volunteer firefighters who are used on large scale emergencies.The Department operates six fire stations, a Fire Training Center and over 30 pieces of the most modern emergency apparatus in northern California. A population of 84,396 people in a 31 square mile area are served by the Department. The Department provides first response to emergencies in the surrounding unincorporated area through the Chico Urban Area Fire and Rescue Agreement.
The Department fields specialized teams for technical rescues, drowning accidents, and hazardous materials response. Paramedics support these teams and serve on the Police SWAT Team.The Department maintains a fire insurance rating of ISO 2, the second highest possible on a rating scale of 10. Only a few dozen other fire departments in California share this rating, which can result in a substantial savings on fire insurance premiums. The average response time to emergencies in most of the city is 4.4 minutes.
The Department maintains a Fire Prevention & Life Safety Bureau lead by the Fire Marshal and staffed with Fire Inspectors. The Bureau provides fire protection engineering services, Fire Code enforcement, Life Safety education programs, and determines orgin and cause for fires. The Bureau is supported by a cadre of university interns and fire prevention volunteers.
All firefighters are comprehensively and vigorously trained. Certification is achieved through universities, the California State Board of Fire Services, NorCal Emergency Medical Services, Inc., the California Specialized Training Institute, the National Fire Academy, Federal Aviation Administration, and others.
Approximately 28% of the City General Fund budget is spent to provide fire and rescue services.
Now that you've seen our department as it is now, take a look at Our Department:Then