The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) last week transferred 11 new and improved fire engines to local fire departments. The new Type 1 engines are part of the Cal OES Fire Engine program and will replace aging fleet assigned to local jurisdictions.
“The fire engine program is a partnership between state and local fire departments which helps California be ready to respond on a moment’s notice to emergencies and disasters throughout the state,” said Cal OES Fire and Rescue Chief Brian Marshall.
Type I engines are designed to fight structure fires, vehicle fires, vegetation fires and other types of fires. The engines also carry a Type III Urban Search and Rescue equipment cache in the event of an earthquake or other event that requires specialized tools and equipment.
The 11 engines are assigned to the following local fire departments:
Monterey Park Fire Department
Oxnard Fire Department
Ventura County Fire Department
Fountain Valley Fire Department
Montebello Fire Department
Petaluma Fire Department
Benicia Fire Department
North County Fire Authority
Mountain View Fire Department
Statewide, the Cal OES Fire Engine program has 112 Type I engines, 40 Type III engines and 11 Water Tenders strategically placed throughout California.
Through contractual agreement between Cal OES and the local governments, the state permits use of the fire engines for mutual aid responses, local multiple alarm fires, temporary replacement for out of service engines, training and other local needs. In return, the assignee is required to dispatch the engine with required personnel to any emergency.
More information on the Cal OES Fire Engine Program is available at: https://www.caloes.ca.gov/cal-oes-divisions/fire-rescue/Fleet