With the threat of wildfire on the rise from climate change and other factors, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has placed a high priority on updating the County's front-line fire engines and support vehicles.
We invite you to check out this photo gallery showing many of the new vehicles that respond to emergencies in some of the most remote and rugged terrain in San Mateo County. These vehicles were purchased with funds from Measure K, a half-cent, voter-approved sales tax extension.
How the County Fire System Works
County Fire provides front-line fire protection and emergency response in some of the most rugged and inaccessible parts of the Peninsula that lie outside of cities and are not within another jurisdiction.
The County owns four stations in Pescadero, Skylonda, Cordilleras (off of Edgewood Road in Redwood City) and the Highlands west of San Mateo and equips these with engines and support vehicles. The stations are staffed by CalFire firefighters under a contract with the state.
In addition, the County Fire system includes three volunteer deparments, located in Loma Mar, La Honda and Kings Mountain. The volunteer departments own their vehicles, but historically, the County has contributed to the purchase of the volunteer’s apparatus.
The fund also purchased 60 self-contained breathing apparatus and 120 air tanks, replacing 25-year-old equipment.
Crews affix a Measure K decal on a new fie engine to let residents know where their local tax dollars are going.
New front-line ladder truck, based at Highlands Station 17.
New engine with a customized light tower to brighten dark highways and rural areas, based at Station 18 off of Edgewood Road near Interstate 280.
New 2,000-gallon tender designed to deliver water to front-line fire engines, based at Station 58 in Skylonda.
New wildlands engine based at Station 59 in Pescadero designed to speed small crews to fires and other emergencies in rough terrain.
New wildlands engine based at Station 55 assists the all-volunteer Loma Mar Fire Department in responding quickly to fires and other emergencies.
This new engine based at Station 58 at Skyline Boulevard and Woodside Road improves fire protection and emergency response.
Based at Station 57 in La Honda, this new engine was paid for with a combination of Measure K funds and community donations.
Firefighter Jason Haas behind the wheel of the new Engine 59, stationed in Pescadero.
New Ford Expedition for use by fire command staff, based at Highlands Station 17.
New Ford Explorer for use by a fire captain or deputy fire marshal, based at Highlands Station 17.
Surplus Apparatus
The primary goals of the Fire Engine Replacement Fund are to improve public safety by providing state-of-the-art fire-fighting apparatus and support vehicles while reducing the ongoing maintenance costs from an aging fire fleet.
This gallery highlights a few of the vehicles that have gone into reserve status or have been removed from service followinig the purchase of replacements:
Year: 1989. Use: Type-1 Fire Engine. Mileage: 189,000
Year: 1993. Use: Type 3 Rescue. Mileage: 33,000.
Year: 1988. Use: Type 2 Fire Engine. Mileage: 19,344.
Year: 1998. Use: Fire marshal/staff vehicle. Mileage: 154,000.
Year: 2001. Use: Utility vehicle. Mileage: 230,000.