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.

CLASS FIVE: FIRE SAFETY & UTILITIES CONTROLS

In this unit you will learn about:

Natural gas, water and electrical controls: why, when and how to shut them off
Types of fire and use of extinguishers to put the fire out
Hazardous materials at home or work and on the road

Covers fire chemistry, fire hazards, fire suppression strategies, and how to safely use a fire extinguisher to put out a small fire. Also learn how to size up a situation and control utilities in case of an emergency.

Participant Guide - Unit 6

Guia del Participante - Unidad 6

Presentation

Links

Gas Service Shutoff Valves – PG&E

Turning Your Electricity On & Off

Videos

Utility Do's and Don'ts - PG&E (click on screen >)
Christmas Tree Fire
FEMA – How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher

Reference

Class 6 Handout