Orange County Fire Authority

Orange County Fire Authority
Operational area
Country United States
State California
County Orange
Agency overview
EstablishedMarch 1, 1995
Annual calls151,812 (2019)
Annual budget$464,638,523 (2019)
Staffing1,544 full-time personnel
189 reserve personnel
Fire chiefBrian Fennessy
IAFF3631
Facilities and equipment[1]
Divisions7
Battalions11
Stations78
Engines136
Trucks18
Squads4
Rescues1
Tenders5
HAZMAT4
Airport crash7
Wildland19
Bulldozers2
Helicopters4
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for unincorporated areas of Orange County and 23 contract cities in the county: Aliso Viejo, Buena Park, Cypress, Dana Point, Garden Grove, Irvine, La Palma, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Santa Ana, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster and Yorba Linda.[2] There are 7 divisions and 11 battalions.

History

Prior to 1980, the Orange County Fire Department, as it was then known, was operated by CAL FIRE under contract.[3] In May 1980, the Orange County Fire Department was formed to serve the county. Over the next decade, multiple new cities were formed from what had been unincorporated areas of the county. Many of these cities chose to contract with the OCFD for fire services.[3] In 1991 the OCFD began exploring the possibility of reorganizing as a separate agency, first as a Special District and then as a Joint Powers Authority. The County filed for bankruptcy in December 1994, which further encouraged Orange County Fire Department to reorganize as a JPA, known as the Orange County Fire Authority.[3] In 2012 the Orange County Fire Authority absorbed the Santa Ana Fire Department. In, January 2017, OCFA Station 61 in the city of Buena Park Caught fire. Station 61 is just adjacent to the rear of Knotts Berry Farm. The incident occurred around 3 A.M. Engine 61 was en route to a medical emergency at the time but was quickly cancelled when Engine 61 returned. The station was engulfed in flames. No one was injured in the event and all were able to safely escape. A $1,000,000 ladder truck was lost in the blaze, which was the 2006 American Lafrance Truck 61. In 2018, Station 61 was reconstructed on 7440 La Palma Ave, nearly a block away from the old location. In 2019 the OCFA absorbed the Garden Grove Fire Department. Later that year, the City of Placentia, California decided that it would leave the OCFA and create its own fire department, Placentia Fire and Life Safety Department. Placentia, California is the first city to leave the authority.

Stations & equipment

The Operations Department of the OCFA is responsible for directly rendering emergency services to the communities that OCFA serves. In 2006, OCFA responded to 79,718 incidents within its jurisdiction and 4,084 mutual aid calls.[4] The department is split into seven geographic divisions numbered 1-7 with 11 battalions, each commanded by a battalion chief.[5] In 2017-2019, OCFA Purchased a large amount of KME Pumpers and 11 KME TDA's, which went to Trucks 4, 17, 22, 28, 43, 45, 56, 61, 71, 75, and 76. In 2020, they also purchased 4 KME 100' RM Ladders, which will go to Trucks 59, 49, 81, and 85, 2 Water Tenders (WT 4 and 16), and 3 Type III Brush Engines, which went to E351, E358, and E364. In 2021, they again, purchased 13 more KME Pumpers, which were assigned to Engines 9, 22, 222, 24, 29, 30, 31, 38, 60, 64, 66, 67, and 78. And in 2023, 3 Sutphen Monarch 100’ MM aerials were purchased and assigned to Trucks 20, 24, and 32. And most recently, a Rosenbauer Heavy Rescue was purchased to replace HR6, a Pierce Arrow XT.

Division 1

Division 1 is located in the western area of Orange County. It covers the communities of Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Westminster, Midway City, and Garden Grove; and the unincorporated communities of Rossmoor, and Sunset Beach. Division 1 is covered by Battalion 1 commanding seven fire stations with Station 2 in Los Alamitos, Stations 44 and 48 in Seal Beach and Stations 64, 65 and 66 in Westminster.[6] and Battalion 11 also commanding seven stations covering the city of Garden Grove.[7] The stations in Battalion 11 are Stations 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86 in Garden Grove. As of July 1, 2025, Station 25 was disbanded. Engine Company 25 was transitioned, re-entering Truck Company 64 into service. This is the first time Truck 64 is seen in service since 2019.

Battalion 1
Fire Station NumberCityEngine CompanyTruck CompanyEMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
2 Los AlamitosParamedic Engine 2, Reserve Engine 102
44 Seal BeachParamedic Engine 44
48 Seal BeachParamedic Engine 48Patrol 48
64 WestminsterParamedic Engine 64Paramedic Truck 64Emergency Ambulance 64, Emergency Ambulance 264Engine 364Battalion Chief 1, Division 1, Cadet Engine 1
65 WestminsterParamedic Engine 65
66 WestminsterParamedic Engine 66Care Ambulance 66
Battalion 11
Fire Station NumberCityEngine CompanyTruck CompanyWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
80 Garden GroveParamedic Engine 80
81 Garden GroveParamedic Truck 81Battalion Chief 11
82 Garden GroveParamedic Engine 82
83 Garden GroveParamedic Engine 83
84 Garden GroveParamedic Engine 84Engine 384
85 Garden GroveParamedic Truck 85
86 Garden GroveParamedic Engine 86, Reserve Engine 186

Division 2

Division 2 is located in the central area of Orange County covering the city of Irvine; along with the John Wayne Airport, and University of California, Irvine. Division 2 covered by Battalion 5 and Battalion 10, each commanding six fire stations.[8] The stations in Battalion 5 are Stations 4, 6, 28, 33, 36 and 47. The stations in Battalion 10 are Stations 20, 26, 27, 38, 51 and 55.

Battalion 5
Fire Station NumberCityEngine CompanyTruck Company EMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
4 IrvineParamedic Engine 4Paramedic Truck 4 Reserve Medic 104, Reserve Medic 904 (Ex-Medic 4)Water Tender 4
6 IrvineParamedic Engine 6 Division 2, Heavy Rescue 6, Swift Water 6, USAR 6
28 IrvineParamedic Engine 28Paramedic Truck 28 Reserve Medic 128
33 John Wayne Airport Crash 1, Crash 2, Crash 3, Crane 33, Foam Trailer 33, Utility 33, Stair 33
36 IrvineParamedic Engine 36 Battalion Chief 5, Foam 36, Investigator 36, Cadet Engine 5
47 IrvineParamedic Engine 47 Engine 347, Dozer 1
Battalion 10
Fire Station NumberCityEngine CompanyTruck Company EMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
20 IrvineParamedic Engine 20Truck 20 Battalion Chief 10, HazMat 20, HazMat 220
26 IrvineParamedic Engine 26 Patrol 26
27 IrvineParamedic Engine 27 Engine 327Information 1 & 2 (PIO)
38 IrvineParamedic Engine 38 Reserve Medic 138 (Special Events)
51 IrvineParamedic Engine 51 Engine 351Mass Casualty 51
55 IrvineParamedic Engine 55 Engine 355Investigator 55

Division 3

OCFA helicopters filling their water tanks at Upper Oso Reservoir during the Santiago Fire (2007)
Division 3 is located in the southern and eastern areas of Orange County. It covers the cities of Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano; along with the unincorporated communities of Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Modjeska Canyon, and Trabuco Canyon. Division 3 is covered by Battalion 6 and Battalion 7, both commanding seven fire stations.[9] Battalion 6 commands Stations 7, 29, 30, 50, 56, 59, 60 and 67, while Battalion 7 commands Stations 9, 18, 24, 31, 40, 45 and 58. As of June 25, 2025, Paramedic Truck 9 was transitioned to Paramedic Truck 24, as the new station 24 has completed construction, as well as seeing the disbandment of Medic 45 on July 1, 2025.
Battalion 6
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck CompanyEMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
7 San Juan CapistranoEngine 7Medic 7Engine 307, Patrol 7, Water Tender 7
29 Dana PointParamedic Engine 29Battalion Chief 6
30 Dana PointParamedic Engine 30Patrol 30
50 San ClementeParamedic Engine 50Care Ambulance 50Engine 350
56 Rancho Mission ViejoParamedic Engine 56USAR Truck 56Urban Support 56, Swift Water 56
59 San ClementeParamedic Truck 59Cadet Engine 6
60 San ClementeParamedic Engine 60
67 Rancho Mission ViejoParamedic Engine 67Engine 367
Battalion 7
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck CompanyEMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
9 Mission ViejoParamedic Engine 9
18 Trabuco CanyonPAU Engine 18Fire Crew 1, Fire Crew 2, Fire Crew 18, Engine 318, Patrol 18Superintendent 1
24 Mission ViejoParamedic Engine 24Paramedic Truck 24
31 Mission ViejoParamedic Engine 31
40 Coto de CazaParamedic Engine 40
45 Rancho Santa MargaritaParamedic Engine 45Paramedic Truck 45Engine 345Battalion Chief 7, Utility 45, Utility 7, Reserve Battalion Chief 945, Service Support 3, Cadet Engine 7
58 Ladera RanchParamedic Engine 58Engine 358Division 3

Division 4

Division 4 is located in the northern area of Orange County. It covers cities of Tustin, Villa Park, and Yorba Linda along with the unincorporated communities of El Modena, Orange Park Acres, Santiago Canyon, Silverado Canyon, and North Tustin. Division 4 is covered by Battalion 3 commanding eight fire stations and Battalion 2 commanding three fire stations.[10] The stations in Battalion 3 are Stations 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 37 and 43. The stations in Battalion 2 are Stations 10, 23, 32 and 53. In July 2020, the city of Placentia disbanded from OCFA, disbanding stations 34 and 35. Truck 34 was the only station unit to be reassigned, now as Truck 32. Water Tender 32 has since been reassigned back to Water Tender 10, where it was originally assigned before being assigned to Water Tender 32 around 2009 (exact date not available). Battalion 2 was since reassigned from Station 34 to Station 53, then in 2021, moved to station 10.

Battalion 3
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck Company EMS UnitsWildland Units Auxiliary Units
8 Santa AnaPAU Engine 8
14 SilveradoEngine 14 Patrol 14
15 SilveradoPAU Engine 15 Engine 315, Patrol 15
16 Modjeska CanyonEngine 16 Patrol 16Water Tender 16
21 TustinParamedic Engine 21 Battalion Chief 3, Cadet Engine 3
37 TustinParamedic Engine 37 Division 4
43 TustinParamedic Truck 43 Reserve Medic 943Utility 3
Battalion 2
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck Company EMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
10 Yorba LindaParamedic Engine 10 Water Tender 10, Patrol 10Battalion 2, Utility 2
23 Orange Paramedic Engine 23 Patrol 23
32 Yorba LindaParamedic Engine 32USAR Truck 32 Reserve Medic 932USAR Support 32
53 Yorba LindaParamedic Engine 53 Engine 353, Dozer 2 Cadet Engine 2

Division 5

Division 5 covers the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Emerald Bay and Mission Viejo. Division 5 is covered by Battalion 4 commanding nine fire stations.[11] These stations are Stations 5, 11, 19, 22, 39, 42, 49, 54 and 57. There are two paramedic engine companies at Station 22. As of July 1, 2025, Paramedic Engine Company 12 was placed into service, running temporarily out of station 19 while station 12 is being constructed, as well as the disbandment of Medic 57.

Battalion 4
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck CompanyEMS unitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
5 Laguna NiguelParamedic Engine 5, Reserve Engine 105
11 Emerald BayEngine 11Patrol 11
19 Lake ForestParamedic Engine 19, Paramedic Engine 12
22 Laguna WoodsParamedic Engine 22, Paramedic Engine 222Truck 22Battalion Chief 4, Reserve Battalion Chief 904, Utility 22
39 Laguna NiguelParamedic Engine 39Engine 339Utility 39
42 Lake ForestParamedic Engine 42
49 Laguna NiguelParamedic Truck 49
54 Lake ForestParamedic Engine 54USAR Task Force 5
57 Aliso ViejoParamedic Engine 57, Reserve Engine 157Patrol 57Division 5, Cadet Engine 4

Division 6

Division 6 is located in the center area of Orange County, covers the city of Santa Ana and is covered by Battalion 9 commanding ten fire stations.[12] These stations are Stations 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79.

Battalion 9
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck Company EMS UnitsWildland UnitsAuxiliary Units
70 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 70 Engine 370Service Support 2
71 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 71Paramedic Truck 71 Reserve Medic 171
72 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 72
73 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 73
74 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 74 Battalion Chief 9, Division 6
75 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 75Paramedic Truck 75 Cadet Engine 9
76 Santa AnaParamedic Truck 76, Reserve Truck 976
77 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 77
78 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 78
79 Santa AnaParamedic Engine 79 Hazmat 79

Division 7

Division 7 is located in the western area of Orange County. It covers the communities of Buena Park, Cypress, La Palma, Stanton and the Air Support Facility at Fullerton Airport. In 2024 OCFA received two Sikorsky S70I Firehawks, as Helicopters 1 & 2. The Firehawks replaced two Bell UH-1 Super Hueys, after they were grounded in 2020 due to rising maintenance costs. The 2 existing Bell 412EP’s were reassigned to Helicopters 3 & 4. Battalion 8 commands Stations 13, 17, 41, 46, 61, 62 and 63.

Battalion 8
Fire Station Number CityEngine CompanyTruck CompanyEMS UnitsAuxiliary Units
13 La PalmaParamedic Engine 13Reserve Medic 113
17 CypressParamedic Engine 17, Reserve Engine 117, Reserve Engine 917Truck 17
41 FullertonHelicopter 1, 2, 3, 4

Helitender 41, 241 Water Tender 41

46 StantonParamedic Engine 46Medic 46
61 Buena ParkParamedic Engine 61USAR Truck 61USAR Support 61, Swift Water 61, Battalion Chief 8, Division 7, Cadet Engine 8
62 Buena ParkParamedic Engine 62
63 Buena ParkParamedic Engine 63, Reserve Engine 163

See also

  • Orange County, California
  • CAL FIRE
  • Chip Prather

References

  1. ↑ "FY 2019/20 Adopted Budget" (PDF). Orange County Fire Authority. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
  2. ↑ "About OCFA". Orange County Fire Authority. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Brief History of OCFA". Orange County Fire Authority. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  4. ↑ "OCFA Partner Cities". Orange County Fire Authority. Archived from the original on September 25, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2006.
  5. ↑ "Operations Department". Orange County Fire Authority. Archived from the original on September 25, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2006.
  6. ↑ "Operations Division I". OCFA. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
  7. ↑ "City of Garden Grove INTER-DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Operations Division II". OCFA. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Operations Division III". OCFA. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Division #4". Orange County Fire Authority. Archived from the original on October 31, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Operations Division V". OCFA. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Operations Division VI". OCFA. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved January 14, 2015.

33°44′50″N 117°46′00″W / 33.74720°N 117.76666°W / 33.74720; -117.76666

This article is issued from WikiProjectMed. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.