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About the Department
The San Luis Fire Department proudly protects over 25,000 people in an area of approximately 35 square miles. Currently we operate out of 1 fire station.
The San Luis Fire Department was formed from a volunteer fire department on or about 1981. In 1988 the City Council authorized the hiring of full-time firefighters which began the transition to a fully-paid, professional fire department. Today our department is comprised of:
- 47 full-time employees
- 4 part-time employees
- 5 Fire Cadets (student firefighters)
Fire Administration
The Fire Administration has 5 full-time positions:
- Fire Chief
- Assistant Fire Chief
- Administrative Assistant
- Fire Inspector
- Office Support Specialist
Fire Suppression
Fire Suppression personnel is made up of 42 full-time employees and 4 part-time employees. Firefighters are assigned to 1 of 3 crews. Each crew has 14 personnel and work an average of 53 hour per week under FLSA guidelines. Part-time firefighters are used to augment daily staffing levels. The San Luis firefighters are trained or certified in additional areas as follows:
- 31 are Certified Emergency Paramedics (CEPs), 3 of which are certified as Toxicology Paramedics
- 11 are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
- 15 are certified Hazardous Materials Technicians
- 27 are Hazardous Materials First Responders
Hazardous Materials Response Team
The Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Response Team is comprised of 15 Haz-Mat technicians. The team has a special operations truck with lighting and portable generator along with a trailer with durable and disposable equipment and supplies.
Additional Support & Grants
The Fire Department received a 2013 SAFER FEMA Grant providing 3 additional firefighters per crew until August 2014. In December 2011, the department began operations under an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Somerton Cocopah Fire Department to provide Advanced Live Support (ALS) emergency ambulance transport services. Under the provisions of the IGA, 2 additional certified firefighters and 2 additional ambulances operate under the supervision of and in conjunction with the City of San Luis Fire Department.
ISO Insurance Rating
We have a split 3/3x ISO Insurance Rating. Our efforts and goal is to reduce this rating, therefore reducing the insurance rates to our citizens.
- Why does a fire truck come when I call for an ambulance?
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All City of San Luis Fire Department apparatus are staffed with at least one Advanced Life Support (ALS) and one Basic Life Support (BLS) personnel, regardless of their operational classification; Fire Engine, Ladder Truck, Rescue Squad, Special Operations or Ambulance. All apparatus carry the necessary equipment to provide ALS treatment at the scene of medical events. Personnel assigned to apparatus other than ambulances may be utilized to assist ALS (MEDIC) ambulances with critical patients.
There may be times that all of the SLFD ambulances are committed to transporting medical patients to Yuma Regional Medical Center, sending a Fire Engine or other SLFD apparatus to a medical emergency will assure timely arrival of needed medical attention prior to the arrival of a distant ambulance.
- Why are fire trucks used to block lanes on the highway when there is an emergency?
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This is for everyone's safety; but primarily for the safety of our patients, Firefighters and to maximize our personnel’s effectiveness. By blocking traffic lanes with our Fire Apparatus, all of our personnel at the scene can be focused on patient care, extrication, patient packaging and movement.
- How do I report a leaking or broken fire hydrant?
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If it is a public fire hydrant, please call San Luis Water Utilities at (928) 341-8577. If it is a private fire hydrant, the property owner is responsible for all repairs. They are therefore responsible for all repairs.