HISTORY

HISTORY

The San Mateo Consolidated (SMC) Fire Department officially commenced operations on January 13, 2019. The department was formed by the establishment of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and represents the merger of fire departments in San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont. At that time, it was the first JPA to commence operations in the State of California in nearly a decade.

SMC Fire has over 260 years of combined history providing emergency services in the three communities. The new department is staffed by 154 personnel that provide emergency services utilizing 10 engine companies and two ladder trucks from the existing nine fire stations. The consolidation allows SMC Fire to continue providing comprehensive emergency response services to all three cities in a more cost-effective way, while maintaining the high level of service the communities rely upon.

The efforts to explore this collaboration began in 2010 when Foster City and San Mateo agreed to share duties of then Fire Chief Dan Belville. Over the next two years, the two cities expanded their partnership to include other key Command Staff positions. In 2013, under the leadership of Fire Chief Mike Keefe, the City of Belmont/Belmont Fire Protection District joined the partnership. At that time, the three cities agreed to share, jointly staff, and relocate the Foster City Ladder Truck to a centralized location that better served the three communities. In 2015, newly appointed Fire Chief John Healy was directed by the three City Managers to study the viability of completing the merger of all fire protection services. The goal was to continue to provide the same high-quality emergency services in a more sustainable model. Staff from the cities and fire departments explored available options and determined a JPA was the most viable option.

The JPA was officially established on November 22, 2017, and on January 13, 2019, SMC Fire commenced operations as an independent fire department.

The San Mateo Consolidated (SMC) Fire Department officially commenced operations on January 13, 2019. The department was formed by the establishment of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) and represents the merger of fire departments in San Mateo, Foster City, and Belmont. At that time, it was the first JPA to commence operations in the State of California in nearly a decade.

SMC Fire has over 260 years of combined history providing emergency services in the three communities. The new department is staffed by 154 personnel that provide emergency services utilizing 10 engine companies and two ladder trucks from the existing nine fire stations. The consolidation allows SMC Fire to continue providing comprehensive emergency response services to all three cities in a more cost-effective way, while maintaining the high level of service the communities rely upon.

The efforts to explore this collaboration began in 2010 when Foster City and San Mateo agreed to share duties of then Fire Chief Dan Belville. Over the next two years, the two cities expanded their partnership to include other key Command Staff positions. In 2013, under the leadership of Fire Chief Mike Keefe, the City of Belmont/Belmont Fire Protection District joined the partnership. At that time, the three cities agreed to share, jointly staff, and relocate the Foster City Ladder Truck to a centralized location that better served the three communities. In 2015, newly appointed Fire Chief John Healy was directed by the three City Managers to study the viability of completing the merger of all fire protection services. The goal was to continue to provide the same high-quality emergency services in a more sustainable model. Staff from the cities and fire departments explored available options and determined a JPA was the most viable option.

The JPA was officially established on November 22, 2017, and on January 13, 2019, SMC Fire commenced operations as an independent fire department.

COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (CERT)

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area, and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. The CERT Program is a dynamic community of volunteers who want to help their neighbors!

Tip of the Month...

Power outages are a reality at any time of year, but certainly are more likely to happen suddenly during windy and stormy weather. What can you do to be better prepared for sudden power outage?

Have battery-powered and/or solar lights & lamps
Freeze bottles of water in your freezer. Move frozen bottles into refrigerator during outages, to keep food colder for a bit longer.
Know how to "manually" open your garage door! Electric garage door opener won't work in a power outage.
Have alternate ways of charging your devices - ie: charging bricks

> Read the February 2021 CERT News.

Other resources:

Disaster Prep Calendar (thank you Collier County E.M.)
The SMCFD CERT SOP: https://bit.ly/CERTSOP2020

The National CERT Association (NCA) - there is an annual fee for this optional resource: NationalCert.org

SMCFD CERT Store: https://bit.ly/SMCFDCERTstore

To log onto Neon (our CERT database), please click on "Member Login" button below.

Sandra Firpo

Emergency Services Specialist

Community Outreach/CERT

1900 O'Farrell Street, Suite 375
San Mateo, CA 94403

(650)-522-7941

Sign Up for CERT Course

Find Your Neighborhood!

Useful Links

US Geological Survey

San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services

National Organization on Disability

Foster City Amateur Radio Emergency Service

ASPCA Pets in Disaster

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

American Red Cross