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HISTORY In the middle 1920's, a hose cart was purchased which carried 250 ft. of hose. It was housed in a shed centrally located in the community. At this time there were also 8 to 10 hydrants scattered throughout the community. In the event a fire occurred members of the community would drag the cart to the scene of the fire and attempt to control the blaze. In 1942 the Board of Directors of the Stanislaus County Mutual Fire Insurance Company appointed 5 men, Luther Thompson, M. Shelly, C.L. Connacher, George Prickett, and Henery Abendschan to organize a Volunteer Fire Department for the unincorporated area of Salida. These men would make up the Board of Directors for the new Department and the Stanislaus County Fire Insurance Company would provide a fire engine for the Department’s use. The only downfall to this set up was that if you had a fire and you were insured by their organization, their services were free of charge. However, a person serviced by the department who wasn't insured by their Company would be billed. In September, 1955 the Salida Volunteer Fire Department was formed. It was formed as the community felt a fire district should be established as an arm of the County government. This type of special district would have the ability to levy a small tax to provide equipment and operating expenses and would function under the County Board of Supervisors. The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors appointed a five-member commission to supervise the business of the Volunteer Department. The original Commissioners appointed were Ray Abendschan, Chairman, Charles Wilder, Elvin DeBoer, J.E. Berlinger, and Harold Reinke. In 1966 the Salida Volunteer Fire Department changed its name to what we know it as today, the Salida Fire Protection District. Currently the the district is governed by five elected board of directors. The Salida Fire Protection District is a combination department consisting of both career and volunteer personnel. Station 1 is staffed with one on duty officer (captain) 24 hours per day seven days per week (A, B &C shifts) and one engineer, fire chief, administrative captain, and administrative manager eight hours per day Monday through Friday. Reserves and Volunteers help staff station 1,2, and 3 in the evenings as part of our sleeper program. Station #2 is staffed with one captain / mechanic and one engineer Monday through Friday from 7am - 4pm. There are approx. 34 active volunteers; their ranks vary as follows captains, engineers, firefighters, and probationary firefighters. We also have an active Volunteer Fireman's Association, Women's Auxiliary, and Explorer Post.
The Salida Fire Protection District is currently quartered in two modern stations with a third in the planning phase. Station 1 is located at E. Broadway and Salida Blvd in Salida and Station 2 is located at Tully and Ladd Roads in the Del Rio area. Station 3 is located at 5551 Ciccarelli Rd. The areas of protection range from residential neighborhoods, to commercial buildings, to rural areas, approx. 3 miles of Highway 99, and approx. 15 miles of the Stanislaus River. The Salida Fire Protection District in all covers approx. 43 square miles and serves a population of approx. 24,000 people. Aerial photograph of the district
The Department operates four front line type 1 Engines (pumpers), two type 2 engines, one grass/brush engine, one reserve grass/brush engine, one water tender, two rescues, one utility unit, and four staff vehicles. Station 1 Apparatus: 2000 Pierce with a 1250 gpm pump and 750 gallons of water. Engine #31 It has a 1250 gpm pump and 600 gallons of water. Rescue #81 Water Tender #61 Engine #51 Station 2 Apparatus: Engine #22
Station 3 Apparatus: Engine #23 |
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