History of the Fire Department

On January 21, 1921, a defective flue sparked a devastating fire in the Sierra Madre Bakery located on Windsor Lane. At the time, no organized Fire Department existed within the City of Sierra Madre, and residents relied on assistance from the Pasadena and Monrovia Fire Departments. The Monrovia Fire Department responded after approximately 30 minutes, while the Pasadena Fire Department was unable to respond for several hours.

Recognizing the need for a local fire agency, Sierra Madre residents organized the first volunteer Fire Department. At its inception, more than 50 residents petitioned for membership, with total volunteers eventually exceeding 200 members. Membership was later limited to 20 active members, all of whom were required to live and work in the community. In the 1950s, the Department expanded to include 10 auxiliary members.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the Department became an organized and active presence in the community. Members planned activities to encourage recruitment and volunteered their services at community events. Sierra Madre firefighters were involved in regional firefighting organizations and were present for the founding of the California State Firefighters’ Association (CSFA). The Sierra Madre Fire Department is the only department in California to maintain 100% membership in the CSFA since its establishment in 1922.

In 1928, a new City Hall building was constructed at 55 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard. In addition to housing government offices, the building served as the City’s first official fire station. An air siren mounted on top of the building was used to alert volunteer firefighters and was tested daily until August 1940.

In 1940, the air siren was replaced with a diaphone fire horn. The new horn not only improved alerting capabilities but also replaced a telephone-based alert system by using a series of coded blasts to communicate the general location of a fire.

The City’s first Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program was established in 1929 when the volunteer Fire Department built a Buick First Aid Wagon using a donated chassis. The vehicle functioned as both a fire response unit and an ambulance, equipped with a first aid kit, resuscitator, and stretcher.

In 1933, the Volunteer Fire Department responded to a request for assistance from the American Red Cross following the Long Beach Earthquake. Sierra Madre personnel assisted the Long Beach Fire Department for 36 hours and administered aid to 75 earthquake victims.

During the latter half of the 20th century, the Volunteer Fire Department underwent significant growth and change. The Department relocated its headquarters to its current location at 242 W. Sierra Madre Boulevard.

In 1973, two volunteer members enrolled in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training at Pasadena City College. By 1976, six members were certified EMTs and were responding to more than 300 calls annually. That same year, the Kiwanis Club donated the Department’s first Basic Life Support (BLS) vehicle, recognizing the growing need for advanced medical care.

In the mid-1980s, the Volunteer Fire Department began recruiting women into its ranks. In 1987, the Department hosted the first annual Fire Prevention Festival, strengthening its role in community education and prevention.

In 1999, the Volunteer Fire Department contracted with the Verdugo Fire Communications Center for dispatch services. This partnership placed the Department within a regional mutual aid network supporting 13 agencies throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

As a result of increased regional coordination, the Department raised hiring standards to align with neighboring agencies and improve service delivery. New requirements included graduation from an accredited Fire Academy, possession of a valid State of California EMT license, and completion of California Firefighter I requirements within 18 months of hire.

By the early 2000s, volunteer membership had begun to decline. In response, the City hired a full-time Fire Chief in 2006 to oversee Department operations. One year later, a full-time Paramedic Coordinator was hired to develop and manage the City’s paramedic services.

The Sierra Madre Fire Department’s Paramedic Program officially launched on June 1, 2007. Sierra Madre was the last city in Los Angeles County to establish its own paramedic service.

The program was modeled after the La Habra Heights Fire Department and utilized part-time paramedics to staff an Advanced Life Support (ALS) rescue ambulance. Services included cardiac monitoring, intubation, intravenous therapy, and medication administration.

By 2012, the Department employed three full-time Captains and one part-time Captain to oversee daily operations. Due to a limited pool of qualified Engineers, the Department also created a part-time Fire Engineer position. Staffing during this period included a combination of full-time, part-time, and volunteer personnel operating one Type 1 Engine and one Type III Rescue Ambulance.

In 2015, the Sierra Madre Fire Department entered into an automatic aid agreement with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Under the agreement, Sierra Madre units respond to incidents within the Chantry Flat Recreation Area, while Los Angeles County Fire automatically responds to first-alarm fire incidents within Sierra Madre city limits.

That same year, Battalion Chief Services were contracted with the Cities of Arcadia and Monrovia. Prior to contracting these services, Sierra Madre residents volunteered more than 6,500 hours annually to support Department operations.

On June 13, 2019, the City formally recognized the Sierra Madre Professional Firefighters Association, Local 5216, as the designated bargaining unit.

On September 1, 2019, the Sierra Madre Fire Department officially transitioned to a full-time career department. This milestone was made possible through decades of service by volunteer and part-time personnel, whose dedication laid the foundation for the Department’s modern operations.

On January 1, 2020, the Sierra Madre Fire Department entered a six-month Area C Unified Response trial period. The trial allowed the Department to demonstrate interoperability with neighboring agencies and regional partners.

On July 1, 2020, the Department was fully accepted into the Area C Unified Response system. This integration significantly expanded the availability of personnel and equipment from twelve additional departments, improving emergency response capabilities for residents, businesses, and visitors.

The Sierra Madre Fire Department is proud to be part of a regional network that enhances public safety while honoring the legacy of those who served before.