Orange County Fire Authority
Encyclopedia
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) is the agency that provides fire protection
and emergency medical services
for unincorporated area
s of Orange County, California
and cities that contract OCFA's services.
OCFA serves over 1,360,000 residents in 22 cities and unincorporated areas from 62 fire stations.
The Operations Department is responsible for directly rendering aid to the community. In 2006, OCFA responded to 79,718 incidents within its jurisdiction and 4,084 mutual aid
calls. The department is split into five geographic divisions numbered I–V.
Bell UH-1Hs and two Bell 412
EPs.
There are 12 paramedic vans, 19 paramedic engines, 1 paramedic truck, 23 paramedic assessment engines, 3 paramedic assessment trucks, 12 Basic Life Support (BLS) engines, and 9 BLS trucks staffed 24/7 by career personnel. 4 BLS engines, 8 BLS patrols, and 6 BLS squads staffed by reserve personnel on an on-call basis. and 3 emergency transports staffed by department personnel and numerous other private ambulance staffed by private personnel that provide transport and emergency medical services to all of the areas of Orange County covered by the Orange County Fire Authority.
220.8 million for the 2006/07 fiscal year.
. The County filed for bankruptcy in 1994, which further encouraged Orange County Fire Department to reorganize as a JPA, known as the Orange County Fire Authority.
The current Fire Chief is Keith Richter, and the previous chief (1997–2009) is Charles "Chip" Prather
.
Fire protection
Fire protection is the study and practice of mitigating the unwanted effects of fires. It involves the study of the behaviour, compartmentalisation, suppression and investigation of fire and its related emergencies, as well as the research and development, production, testing and application of...
and emergency medical services
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
for unincorporated area
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
s of Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
and cities that contract OCFA's services.
OCFA serves over 1,360,000 residents in 22 cities and unincorporated areas from 62 fire stations.
Operations Department
Mutual aid (emergency services)
In emergency services, mutual aid is an agreement among emergency responders to lend assistance across jurisdictional boundaries. This may occur due to an emergency response that exceeds local resources, such as a disaster or a multiple-alarm fire. Mutual aid may be ad hoc, requested only when...
calls. The department is split into five geographic divisions numbered I–V.
- Division I
- Division I is located in the western area of Orange County. It covers the communities of Buena ParkBuena Park, CaliforniaBuena Park is a city in northwestern Orange County, California. As of Census 2010 the population was 80,530. The city is adjacent to the city of Anaheim and is 12 miles northwest of downtown Santa Ana. The Current OMB metropolitan designation for Buena Park and the Orange County Area is "Santa...
, CypressCypress, CaliforniaCypress is a suburban city located in the northern region of Orange County within Southern California. Its population was 47,802 at the 2010 census.-History:...
, La PalmaLa Palma, CaliforniaLa Palma is a city located in northern Orange County, California. Incorporated on October 26, 1955, the population was 15,408 at the 2000 census...
, Los AlamitosLos Alamitos, CaliforniaLos Alamitos is a small city in Orange County, California. The city was incorporated in March 1960. The population was 11,449 at the 2010 census, down from 11,536 at the 2000 census...
, Seal BeachSeal Beach, California-Neighborhoods:Seal Beach encompasses the Leisure World retirement gated community with roughly 9,000 residents. This was the first major planned retirement community of its type in the U.S...
, StantonStanton, CaliforniaStanton is a city located in western Orange County, California. The population was 38,186 at the 2010 census, up from 37,403 at the 2000 census. Like most of Orange County, it is more politically conservative compared to the rest of the state. The City was incorporated in 1956 and operates under...
, and WestminsterWestminster, California-Government:In the state legislature Westminster is located in the 34th, Senate District, represented by Democrat Lou Correa and Republican Tom Harman respectively, and in the 67th and 68th Assembly District, represented by Republicans Jim Silva and Van Tran respectively...
; and the unincorporated communities of Midway CityMidway City, CaliforniaMidway City is a census-designated place located in Orange County, California. It is bordered by the cities of Westminster to its east and Huntington Beach to its west. It was so named because it is midway between Long Beach and Santa Ana. The population was 8,485 at the 2010 census.It is one of...
, RossmoorRossmoor, CaliforniaRossmoor is an affluent planned census-designated place located in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a total population of 10,244, down from 10,298 at the 2000 census...
, and Sunset BeachSunset Beach, CaliforniaSunset Beach is a beachfront community in Huntington Beach in Orange County, California. In 2011, it was annexed by Huntington Beach and is now part of that city. Prior to, it was a census-designated place, with a population of 971 at the 2010 census....
. Division I is covered by two battalions, numbers 1 and 8, from fifteen fire stations. OCFA's helicopter fleet, based out of the Fullerton Municipal AirportFullerton Municipal AirportFullerton Municipal Airport , owned and operated by the City of Fullerton, is the last strictly general aviation airfield still operating in Orange County, California....
, is part of Division I. The air fleet consists of two
Bell UH-1Hs and two Bell 412
412
Year 412 was a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Honorius and Theodosius...
EPs.
- Division II
- Division II is located in the central area of Orange County. It covers the city of IrvineIrvine, CaliforniaIrvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
; along with the John Wayne AirportJohn Wayne AirportJohn Wayne Airport is an airport in an unincorporated area in Orange County, California, with its mailing address in the city of Santa Ana, which is also the county seat, hence the International Air Transport Association airport code. The main entrance to the airport is off of MacArthur Blvd in...
, Emerald BayEmerald Bay, El Dorado County, CaliforniaEmerald Bay is an unincorporated community in El Dorado County, California. It lies at an elevation of 6319 feet ....
, and University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, IrvineThe University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
. Division II is covered by battalion 5 from nine fire stations.
- Division III
- Division III is located in the southern and eastern areas of Orange County. It covers the cities of Dana PointDana Point, California-Climate:Dana Point enjoys a mild climate where temperatures tend to average around the 60's. The warmest month of the year is August with an average temperature of 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest month is December with an average minimum temperature of 44 degrees Fahrenheit.-2010:The 2010...
, Laguna HillsLaguna Hills, CaliforniaLaguna Hills is a city located in southern Orange County, California, United States. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named.-Geography:...
, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa MargaritaRancho Santa Margarita, CaliforniaRancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master planned community set upon rolling hills. Most neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita are within various homeowners associations...
, San ClementeSan Clemente, CaliforniaSan Clemente is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 63,522 at the 2010 census. Located on the California Coast, midway between Los Angeles and San Diego at the southern tip of the county, it is known for its ocean, hill, and mountain views, a pleasant climate and its Spanish...
, and San Juan CapistranoSan Juan Capistrano, CaliforniaSan Juan Capistrano is a city in southern Orange County, California, located approximately southeast of Downtown Santa Ana. The current OMB metropolitan designation for San Juan Capistrano and the Orange County Area is “Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA.” The population was 34,593 at the 2010 census,...
; along with the unincorporated communities of Coto de CazaCoto de Caza, CaliforniaCoto de Caza is a census-designated place and guard-gated private community in Orange County, California. The population was 14,866 at the 2010 census, up from 13,057 at the 2000 census....
, LaderaLadera Ranch, CaliforniaLadera Ranch is a census-designated place and a planned community located in south Orange County, California just outside the city limits of San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo....
, Las FloresLas Flores, CaliforniaLas Flores is an unincorporated census-designated place in Orange County, California, located adjacent to the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, California. The population was 5,971 at the 2010 census, up from 5,625 at the 2000 census...
, Modjeska CanyonModjeska Canyon, CaliforniaModjeska Canyon is an unincorporated area on the western slope of the Santa Ana Mountains in eastern Orange County, California. It is a rural community of several hundred residents, with a small park and a volunteer fire station....
, Trabuco CanyonTrabuco Canyon, CaliforniaTrabuco Canyon is a small unincorporated community located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in eastern Orange County, California, and lies partly within the Cleveland National Forest.Trabuco Canyon is north of the town of Rancho Santa Margarita...
, and Talega. Division III is covered by two battalions, numbers 6 and 7, from eighteen fire stations.
- Division IV
- Division IV is located in the northern area of Orange County. It covers cities of PlacentiaPlacentia, California-Local: Placentia is a Charter city with an elected city council and professional city manager. Placentia City Council*Mayor- Scott W. Nelson*Mayor Pro Tem- Jeremy Yamaguchi*Council Member- Joe Aquirre*Council Member- Constance Underhill...
, TustinTustin, California-Top employers:According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Tustin had a population of 75,540. The population density was 6,816.7 people per square mile...
, Villa ParkVilla Park, CaliforniaVilla Park is a city in northern Orange County, California, near and surrounded by the City of Orange, and close to Anaheim Hills, that incorporated in 1962. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 5,812, down from 5,999 at the 2000 census, achieving the status of the smallest city in...
, and Yorba LindaYorba Linda, CaliforniaYorba Linda is a suburban city in northeastern Orange County, California, approximately northeast of Downtown Santa Ana, and southeast of Downtown Los Angeles....
; along with the unincorporated communities of El Modena, Orange Park AcresOrange Park Acres, CaliforniaOrange Park Acres is an unincorporated county island surrounded by the City of Orange in Orange County, California. It is mainly composed of upper-middle class residents from the Orange city area. Its northern border is Santiago Canyon Road and its southern border is Chapman Avenue. It comprises...
, Santiago Canyon, Silverado CanyonSilverado, CaliforniaFounded in 1878, Silverado , a California Historical Landmark, is an unincorporated community in Silverado Canyon, which is located in the Santa Ana Mountains in eastern Orange County, California. Portions of the town sit on a former Mexican land grant Rancho Lomas de Santiago. The majority of...
, and North Tustin. Division IV is covered by two battalions, numbers 2 and 3, from twelve fire stations.
- Division V
- It covers the cities of Aliso ViejoAliso Viejo, CaliforniaAliso Viejo is a city in Orange County, California. It had a population of 47,823 as of the 2010 census, up from 40,166 as of the 2000 census. It became Orange County's 34th city on July 1, 2001, the only city in the county to incorporate since 2000...
, IrvineIrvine, CaliforniaIrvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California...
, Laguna HillsLaguna Hills, CaliforniaLaguna Hills is a city located in southern Orange County, California, United States. Its name refers to its proximity to Laguna Canyon and the much older Laguna Beach. Other newer cities nearby—Laguna Niguel and Laguna Woods—are similarly named.-Geography:...
, Laguna NiguelLaguna Niguel, CaliforniaLaguna Niguel is an affluent city located in southern Orange County, California. The name "Laguna Niguel" is derived from the Spanish word "Laguna" which means lagoon, and the word "Nigueli" which was the name of a Juaneño Indian village that was once located on Aliso Creek. The population was...
, Laguna WoodsLaguna Woods, CaliforniaLaguna Woods is a city in Orange County, California, United States. The population was 16,192 at the 2010 census, down from 16,507 at the 2000 census with a median age of 78. About 90% of the city consists of Laguna Woods Village, a retirement community, formerly known as Leisure World...
, Lake ForestLake Forest, CaliforniaLake Forest is a city in Orange County, California. The population was 77,264 at the 2010 census.Lake Forest incorporated as a city on December 20, 1991. Prior to a vote of the residents in that year, the community had formerly been known as El Toro since the 1880s...
, and Mission ViejoMission Viejo, CaliforniaMission Viejo is a city located in southern Orange County, California, U.S. in the Saddleback Valley. Mission Viejo is considered one of the largest master-planned communities ever built under a single project in the United States, and is rivaled only by Highlands Ranch, Colorado, in its size...
. Division V is covered by battalions 4 & 5 from sixteen fire stations.
- Operations Support Division
- The Operations Support Division consists of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC), Community Volunteer Services (CVS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Planning and Coordination (EPAC), Special Operations Section, and the Operations Training and Safety Section.
- The ECC houses the Dispatch Center which routes all emergency requests to individual OCFA units. The ECC also contains the Mapping and Geo-file Group which maintains and distributes the maps and station information that allows dispatchers to route calls to the correct station and provides fire stations with up-to-date maps of their coverage area.
Fire Prevention Department
The Fire Prevention Department is dedicated to proactively protecting the public by identifying and analyzing community risk; educating and informing; and developing, implementing, and enforcing regulations.- Investigation Services Section
- This section investigates and reviews fires to determine appropriate intervention strategies.
- Planning & Development Services Section
- The Planning & Development Services Section reviews all architectural blue prints, development plans, and proposals submitted in OCFA's jurisdiction to ensure that they meet fire protection requirements for buildings and developments.
- Risk Analysis & Mitigation Evaluation
- This section identifies communities’ risks and creates appropriate mitigation strategies to improve the performance and effectiveness of community safety efforts.
- Safety & Environmental Services Section (SESS)
- SESS conducts fire safety inspectionsFire safetyFire safety refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of a fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to survive, or to reduce the...
, enforces applicable fire codes and ordinances, gathers and maintains inventories of chemicals stored, handled, and used within the OCFA jurisdiction and coordinates hazardous materials emergency plans.
EMS
Standard response
The standard OCFA response for a structure fire is 3 engine companies, One truck company, one paramedic van and one Battalion Chief.Budget
The department has a General Fund budget of US$United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
220.8 million for the 2006/07 fiscal year.
History
Prior to 1980 the California Department of Forestry (now known as CAL-Fire) operated the Orange County Fire Department under contract. In 1980 then California Governor Jerry Brown cancelled the California Department of Forestry contract with the Orange County Fire Department against the wishes of Orange County. As a result, Orange County operated the Orange County Fire Department (OCFD) beginning May 16, 1980. Due to the incorporations of new cities and additional cities contracting with the County Fire Department, in 1991 the OCFD began exploring the possibility of reorganizing as a separate agency - first as a Special District and then as a Joint Powers AuthorityJoint Powers Authority
A Joint Powers Authority is an entity permitted under the laws of some states of the USA, whereby two or more public authorities can operate collectively. Joint Powers Authorities may be used where:*an activity naturally transcends the boundaries of existing public authorities...
. The County filed for bankruptcy in 1994, which further encouraged Orange County Fire Department to reorganize as a JPA, known as the Orange County Fire Authority.
The current Fire Chief is Keith Richter, and the previous chief (1997–2009) is Charles "Chip" Prather
Chip Prather
Charles Prather was the second Fire Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority in California, United States.Prather was named the Fire Chief of the Orange County Fire Authority on October 1, 1997....
.