Fire Department

Welcome to the Vista Fire Department web page, serving the residents of the City of Vista and the Vista Fire Protection District. Here you will find both statistical as well as anecdotal information regarding the department. The City of Vista Fire Department is a full service fire department providing services ranging from fire prevention and suppression, to emergency medical services, to technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation. Operating from 6 strategically located stations the Vista Fire Department provides the highest quality of service to both residents and visitors, responding to over 10,400 calls last year, making Vista Fire Department one of the busiest departments in North County.

Overview

The City of Vista is located in north San Diego County, which is located between Orange and Riverside Counties on the north and Mexico to the south. The City of Vista is approximately 19 square miles in area, combines with 19 square miles in the Vista Fire Protection District to make up the initial response area of the Vista Fire Department. The terrain varies from inland valleys to mountains, having a mix of light industry, commercial, residential, urban interface and wildland areas. The population in the City of Vista and Vista Fire Protection District is 113,687.

Safely Surrendered Baby Program

All six Vista Fire Stations are Safe Surrender sites for the Safely Surrendered Baby Program

 

State Fire Prevention Fee (SRA)

The State Responsibility Area Fire Prevention Benefit Fee was enacted following the signing of Assembly Bill X1 29 in July 2011.

 

Divisions

Administration

The Fire Administration Division provides management of personnel issues, budgeting, planning, directing, and team building for the Vista Fire Department. Fire Administration sets and reviews department policy and provides administrative support to all Fire divisions. The Administrative Division also oversees and administers the contract with the Vista Fire Protection District and provides fire and emergency medical services support to the District Board, advising them on policy and procedures.

Operations

Public Safety/Fire Protection is provided by the Vista Fire Department. Services include: fire fighting, rescue, hazardous materials incident responses; and emergency medical services at the EMT and Paramedic level, with emergency transport. Additional services include fire personnel training and community disaster preparedness. Fire prevention activities include inspection, code compliance, community protection planning, public education for fire survival and abatement of weed hazards.

Training

The Training division of the Fire Department coordinates all aspects of employee training, This ranges from the coordination and delivery of new hire academies to developing innovative ways to train on ever-changing technical and manipulative subjects. One key aspect of the Training division is keeping the department current with the local, state, and federally mandated training requirements. To meet these mandated training requirements and keep skills honed, companies are expected to train a minimum of two hours each shift. The Training division also helps to maintain and improve skill and knowledge levels, and prepare employees for promotional advancement.

EMS

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division provides basic and advanced life support to the citizens of Vista and the Vista Fire Protection District. EMS services operate under the authority of San Diego County EMS, California State EMS and Tri-City Medical Center. Field stabilization of either the trauma or medical patient is followed by a fire ambulance transport to an appropriate hospital emergency room. This budget unit is partially supported by revenue generated by ambulance transportation fees.

Fire Prevention Bureau

The Fire Prevention Bureau is responsible for reducing the community's risk of fire and preventable injuries. The Bureau works closely with residents, businesses and community groups to identify hazards, mitigate potential loss, and educate community members for increased safety. A Battalion Chief serves as the Fire Marshal for the City of Vista and for the Vista Fire Protection District, and oversees the Bureau, which consists of three sections.

The Construction and Development Services section reviews plans and inspects new buildings; the Fire and Life Safety Services section inspects existing buildings, coordinates the weed abatement program, and investigates fires; and the Public Information and Education provides information and educational resources for the community.

Disaster Prep

Disaster preparedness for the City of Vista is coordinated through the Fire Department, but involves all city staff in the planning, preparation, and mitigation of the effects of any major emergency or regional disaster. This budget unit includes the funding of supplies and equipment for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the city's share of the funding for the regional Hazardous Materials incident Response Team (HIRT), and the training of city staff in disaster management and recovery.