Prior to 1980, the Orange County Fire Department, as it was then known, was operated byCAL FIRE under contract.[3] In May 1980, the Orange County Fire Department was formed to serve the county. Over the next decade, multiple new cities were formed from what had been unincorporated areas of the county. Many of these cities chose to contract with the OCFD for fire services.[3] In 1991 the OCFD began exploring the possibility of reorganizing as a separate agency, first as a Special District and then as aJoint Powers Authority. The County filed for bankruptcy in December 1994, which further encouraged Orange County Fire Department to reorganize as a JPA, known as the Orange County Fire Authority.[3] In 2012 the Orange County Fire Authority absorbed theSanta Ana Fire Department. In, January 2017, OCFA Station 61 in the city ofBuena Park Caught fire. Station 61 is just adjacent to the rear of Knotts Berry Farm. The incident occurred around 3 A.M. Engine 61 was en route to a medical emergency at the time but was quickly cancelled when Engine 61 returned. The station was engulfed in flames. No one was injured in the event and all were able to safely escape. A $1,000,000 ladder truck was lost in the blaze, which was the 2006 American Lafrance Truck 61. In 2018, Station 61 was reconstructed on 7440 La Palma Ave, nearly a block away from the old location. In 2019 the OCFA absorbed theGarden Grove Fire Department. Later that year, the City ofPlacentia, California decided that it would leave the OCFA and create its own fire department, Placentia Fire and Life Safety Department.Placentia, California is the first city to leave the authority.
The Operations Department of the OCFA is responsible for directly rendering emergency services to the communities that OCFA serves. In 2006, OCFA responded to 79,718 incidents within its jurisdiction and 4,084mutual aid calls.[4] The department is split into seven geographic divisions numbered 1-7 with 11 battalions, each commanded by a battalion chief.[5]In 2017-2019, OCFA Purchased a large amount of KME Pumpers and 11 KME TDA's, which went to Trucks 4, 17, 22, 28, 43, 45, 56, 61, 71, 75, and 76. In 2020, they also purchased 4 KME 100' RM Ladders, which will go to Trucks 59, 49, 81, and 85, 2 Water Tenders (WT 4 and 16), and 3 Type III Brush Engines, which went to E351, E358, and E364. In 2021, they again, purchased 13 more KME Pumpers, which were assigned to Engines 9, 22, 222, 24, 29, 30, 31, 38, 60, 64, 66, 67, and 78. And in 2023, 3 Sutphen Monarch 100’ MM aerials were purchased and assigned to Trucks 20, 24, and 32. And most recently, a Rosenbauer Heavy Rescue was purchased to replace HR6, a Pierce Arrow XT.
Division 1 is located in the western area of Orange County. It covers the communities ofLos Alamitos,Seal Beach,Westminster,Midway City, andGarden Grove; and the unincorporated communities ofRossmoor, andSunset Beach. Division 1 is covered by Battalion 1 commanding seven fire stations with Station 2 in Los Alamitos, Stations 44 and 48 in Seal Beach and Stations 64, 65 and 66 in Westminster.[6] and Battalion 11 also commanding seven stations covering the city ofGarden Grove.[7] The stations in Battalion 11 are Stations 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85 and 86 in Garden Grove. As of July 1, 2025, Station 25 was disbanded. Engine Company 25 was transitioned, re-entering Truck Company 64 into service. This is the first time Truck 64 is seen in service since 2019.
Division 2 is located in the central area of Orange County covering the city ofIrvine; along with theJohn Wayne Airport, andUniversity of California, Irvine. Division 2 covered by Battalion 5 and Battalion 10, each commanding six fire stations.[8] The stations in Battalion 5 are Stations 4, 6, 28, 33, 36 and 47. The stations in Battalion 10 are Stations 20, 26, 27, 38, 51 and 55.
Division 3 is located in the southern and eastern areas of Orange County. It covers the cities ofDana Point,Laguna Hills,Laguna Niguel,Mission Viejo,Rancho Santa Margarita,San Clemente, andSan Juan Capistrano; along with the unincorporated communities ofCoto de Caza,Ladera Ranch,Las Flores,Modjeska Canyon, andTrabuco Canyon. Division 3 is covered by Battalion 6 and Battalion 7, both commanding seven fire stations.[9] Battalion 6 commands Stations 7, 29, 30, 50, 56, 59, 60 and 67, while Battalion 7 commands Stations 9, 18, 24, 31, 40, 45 and 58. As of June 25, 2025, Paramedic Truck 9 was transitioned to Paramedic Truck 24, as the new station 24 has completed construction, as well as seeing the disbandment of Medic 45 on July 1, 2025.
Division 4 is located in the northern area of Orange County. It covers cities ofTustin,Villa Park, andYorba Linda along with the unincorporated communities ofEl Modena,Orange Park Acres, Santiago Canyon,Silverado Canyon, and North Tustin. Division 4 is covered by Battalion 3 commanding eight fire stations and Battalion 2 commanding three fire stations.[10] The stations in Battalion 3 are Stations 8, 14, 15, 16, 21, 37 and 43. The stations in Battalion 2 are Stations 10, 23, 32 and 53. In July 2020, the city of Placentia disbanded from OCFA, disbanding stations 34 and 35. Truck 34 was the only station unit to be reassigned, now as Truck 32. Water Tender 32 has since been reassigned back to Water Tender 10, where it was originally assigned before being assigned to Water Tender 32 around 2009 (exact date not available). Battalion 2 was since reassigned from Station 34 to Station 53, then in 2021, moved to station 10.
Division 5 covers the cities ofAliso Viejo,Laguna Hills,Laguna Niguel,Laguna Woods,Lake Forest,Emerald Bay andMission Viejo. Division 5 is covered by Battalion 4 commanding nine fire stations.[11] These stations are Stations 5, 11, 19, 22, 39, 42, 49, 54 and 57. There are two paramedic engine companies at Station 22. As of July 1, 2025, Paramedic Engine Company 12 was placed into service, running temporarily out of station 19 while station 12 is being constructed, as well as the disbandment of Medic 57.
Division 6 is located in the center area of Orange County, covers the city ofSanta Ana and is covered by Battalion 9 commanding ten fire stations.[12] These stations are Stations 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79.
Division 7 is located in the western area of Orange County. It covers the communities ofBuena Park,Cypress,La Palma,Stanton and the Air Support Facility atFullerton Airport. In 2024 OCFA received twoSikorsky S70I Firehawks, as Helicopters 1 & 2. The Firehawks replaced twoBell UH-1 Super Hueys, after they were grounded in 2020 due to rising maintenance costs. The 2 existingBell 412EP’s were reassigned to Helicopters 3 & 4. Battalion 8 commands Stations 13, 17, 41, 46, 61, 62 and 63.
United States
California
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