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Imperial Valley Fire aids in Southern California wildfire response

Imperial Valley Fire Department joins forces in Southern California wildfire response, providing critical support and expertise to protect communities and combat devastating flames.

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Services

The Imperial County Fire Department provides many different services to the unincorporated communities of the county, townships and the City of Imperial. Those services include:

Fire Protection

Providing rapid, professional fire suppression and prevention services to protect lives and property across Imperial County.

Medical (BLS/ALS)

Delivering Basic and Advanced Life Support emergency medical care whenever and wherever it’s needed.

Aircraft Rescue Firefighting

Specialized emergency response for aviation incidents at Imperial County airports to ensure passenger and crew safety.

Technical Rescue

Expert response for complex rescue situations including vehicle extrications, confined space, and high-angle rescues.

Hazardous Material/Devices Incident Responses

Safeguarding the community with trained teams equipped to handle hazardous materials and suspicious devices.

Fleet Service

The Imperial County Fire Department’s f California State Fire Mechanics , expertly maintain and service the department’s extensive fleet of emergency vehicles and equipment.

Prevention, Mitigation & Training

The Fire Prevention Bureau is located at 2514 La Brucherie Road in Imperial, CA, 92251 (Station 1). The Bureau consists of the Fire Chief assuming the duties of the Fire Marshal, Deputy Fire Marshal, 1 Fire Prevention Specialist, and 1 Fire Code Inspector

The purpose of the Imperial County Fire Prevention Program is to assist in preventing injuries, deaths, business interruption and property damages resulting from fires and other emergencies.

Throughout the calendar year The Bureau is active in Public Education. Presentations are given to many different audiences from local businesses, public safety entities, healthcare providers, and local schools. During Fire Prevention Week in October alone, the Bureau will give presentations to approximately 3000 Children from grades K-3.

The Bureau currently enforces the 2010 California Fire, Building, Electrical, County Ordinances, as amended by the County of Imperial Municipal Code, in addition to National Fire Protection Association standards; Title 19, of the California Public Safety Code; and, the California Health and Safety Code.

This Fire Prevention Bureau also conducts an annual fire inspection program. This program is intended to help protect the business owners, employees and patrons. This program is made possible by utilizing the in-service fire engine companies. This improves the safety of the business being conducted in the County, but also allows the engine companies pre-plan the facilities and meet the business owners, management and employees

Initial Property surveys are conducted in unincorporated areas of Imperial County as well as contract cities upon receiving a complaint.
A Notice of Code Violation is issued to surveyed properties that are identified as a fire hazard by Imperial County Fire Department officials.
A 30 day notice to comply is issued certified mailed to legal property owner to contact the Imperial County Fire Department within 30 days of receiving the notice.
If fire hazard has not been abated within 30 days or contact made with Imperial County Fire Department, a 15 day notice to comply is issued to legal property owner to abate the fire hazard.
If property owner does not comply within 15 day notice, Imperial County Fire Department shall forward the Notice of Code Violation to Imperial County Planning and Development Office to place a notice of Code Violation within the property file.
Notice of Code Violation is forwarded to Imperial County Legal Counsel for further legal action upon non-complaint after the 30 day and 15 day notices are received and the fire hazard(s) are not abated.
Imperial County Legal Counsel will pursue legal options on obtaining compliance and abatement of the fire hazard(s).
Imperial County Fire Department may issue fees and citations as stated within Imperial County Fire Department fee schedule for abatement process.

For submitting a weed abatement complaint, please email the Deputy Fire Marshal Andrew Loper at: andrewloper@co.imperial.ca.us

The training division is progressive and responsible for improving firefighting and rescue capability through recruitment, physical fitness, in-service and specialized training, and State Fire Training certification. We foster relevant training, and a strong desire to acquire knowledge and strive for excellence at each opportunity. This desire is reflected through promoting a continual movement towards a higher level of education, and performance in a positive environment. Our agency has a broad range of certified personnel and instructors which include but not limited to: hazardous materials, arson investigation, aircraft firefighting, confined space, advanced and basic life support, rescue systems, explosive technician, and other related functions. The division maintains a digital library of books, manuals, videos, and other visual training aids that meet federal and state requirements. In addition, the training division conducts regular exercises, live fire drills, and specialized training, to ensure that consistent and effective emergency services continue to be provided to the citizens and visitors of Imperial County. A 45 foot, two-story mobile burn trailer is located on site which enables the training of firefighters in a controlled environment. The burn trailer is shared via a mutual agreement amongst the local agencies. All live-fire evolutions conform to NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions in Structures.

The training division is also responsible for training all new members entering the Department, consisting of full-time, part-time, and volunteers. On a monthly basis training officers provide a minimal average of 20 hours of training to each firefighter. To maintain medical licensure for all Department members, 24 hours of Continuing Education are provided every 2 years for our EMT's, and 48 hours every 2 years for our paramedics. Each certification is closely monitored to ensure quality assurance.

"We value hard work and professionalism and the pursuit of excellence in all the services we provide. We value and advocate honesty, integrity, respect, teamwork, diversity, and discipline from all of our organizations members. We value efficiency, fiscal responsibility and reliability."

Fire Chief & OES Coordinator

David Lantzer