El Cajon Fire Department

Heartland Fire & Rescue

Flowchart (PDF)

On January 1, 2010, the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove entered into a joint exercise of powers agreement for management and delivery of fire protection and emergency medical services.

Under this agreement, the shared management team, known as “Heartland Fire & Rescue” provides management for the three cities. The management team includes a fire chief, assistant chief, three deputy fire chiefs, three division chiefs, three battalion chiefs and four support staff.

This unique cooperative fire services agreement provides cost containment opportunities, maintains local control, ensures a high level of fire and emergency medical services delivery and maximizes resource utilization.

This cooperative service manages eight fire stations, nine engine companies, two truck companies, three paramedic transport units and one battalion chief. The joint powers agreement serves a population of 180,000 and responds to approximately 18,000 calls for service each year.