County Fire Agencies

Did you know…?

There are 22 local fire agencies (20 cites/districts and 2 volunteer fire companies) plus Cal Fire for a total of 23.

Four cities/districts have combined into 2 JPA’s – Fort Bragg and Ukiah.  That said, 20 local fire departments exist plus Cal Fire.

All 20 local fire departments rely on volunteers, Cal Fire does not.

Most of the local departments do not have a paid cheif & the majority of local departments are ALL volunteers. 

Each of the 20 departments receive some tax monies.  However, Westport and Whale Gulch (“volunteer fire companies”) are not associated with any special district and receive no property-tax related revenues. 

But, only half of Mendocino County is in a fire district. The other half receives emergency services but doesn’t pay for them.

All agencies do receive Proposition 172 sales tax monies ($10,000 minimum).

Starting in 2020 the County begin collecting Transient Occupancy Tax from place like camp grounds that will provide some additional funding for the local districts.  The agency distributions will be ~$30,000 for the first year.

Together, taxes collected and allocated fall woefully short of the Board of Supervisors estimate of $10,000,000 needed by local fire agencies.

The county government has provided only limited help to fire departments and ambulance services. Most departments rely on federal grants and fundraisers to survive.

Basic firefighting gear costs $1,200 per person. A new fire engine costs $250,000 or more. 

Volunteer firefighters spend huge amounts of time in training. Training is expensive.

Volunteer firefighters are usually the first at scene of medical emergencies and traffic accidents.

Your life could depend on how well your fire department is equipped and its firefighters trained.

CAL FIRE (CDF)
Unit Chief George Gonzalez

Headquarters……..459-7414
Boonville…………….895-3323
Covelo…………………983-6499
Fort Bragg…………..964-5673
Hopland………………744-1111
Laytonville………….984-6777
Leggett…………………925-6414
Woodlands………….937-5765
Point Arena…………882-2151
Ukiah…………………..462-7448