El Cajon Fire Department

Heartland Fire & Rescue

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.

Press Releases

CHP and Firefighters Warn Cigarette Litterbugs

“Hold on to your Butt” – a public education campaign focused on holding accountable smokers who toss their cigarette butts out of their vehicles on San Diego County highways. San Diegans can report smokers who illegally discard their cigarettes on the roadways by calling a toll-free hotline, 1-877-211-2888 (BUTT). San Diegans will be able to record the date, time, and place of the littering, along with the license plate number of observed cigarette litterbugs.

Earthquake Activity! Consider Enrolling In A CERT Academy – Our 2010 Academies Are Now Full!

We’ve had a lot of earthquake activity lately – are you prepared for a disaster? Seriously consider enrolling in a “free” CERT academy. You’ll learn how to better protect yourself and your family, and help your neighbors.

El Cajon Fire Chief To Oversee Heartland Fire & Rescue

The City Managers of the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove have announced the appointment of the Fire Chief that will oversee operations of the cooperative management services for the three fire and rescue departments when they merge on January 1, 2010. Mike Scott, who is presently the Fire Chief in El Cajon, will head the new command.

El Cajon Firefighters Reach Out To Troops In Iraq

El Cajon Firefighters mailed a special care package to some troops in Iraq recently. The photo at left was their response. It was quite a morale booster!

Have You Tested Or Changed The Batteries In Your Smoke Alarms Lately?

When you change your clocks during time changes, back or forward one hour, we hope you also take a moment to change your smoke alarm batteries. It could save a life! The next time change is March 14, 2010. Daylight Saving Time begins 2 a.m.

Three East County Fire Departments Sign JPA Agreement

Oct. 15, 2009 – City Leaders, Fire Department Chiefs and staff from El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove, gathered for the official signing of a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA). This agreement will create a shared management team to coordinate fire and emergency medical services, firefighter training, fire prevention, emergency planning, and community preparedness.

El Cajon Reserve Firefighter Program

The application period for the El Cajon Fire Department Heartland Firefighter Academy & El Cajon Fire Reserve Academy for 2010 is now closed. If you dropped off an application please check this section for an important update!

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