SFSFR, like all other fire departments in California, participates in the state-wide mutual aid program to provide firefighters and equipment to help fight the wildland fires that plague California every year.

Firefighters receive specialized formal training with an annual refresher class, and maintain a cache of dedicated equipment for these responses. 
Strike Teams (5 fire engines and a battalion chief) for state-wide response are formed by resources from the Santa Fe Springs, Downey, Compton, Montebello, La Habra Heights, West Covina and Long Beach fire departments.

SFSFR also staffs and maintains Engine 378, a special Type 1 fire engine used mainly for wildland fire responses but is also equipped for basic Urban Search & Rescue emergencies. This engine is provided to SFS by the State OES.

Several SFSFR firefighters are also qualified as “Fire Line Paramedics” and “Fire Line EMTs.” When requested, these personnel respond as a single resource to help provide medical support to these large wildland fires.

Fire personnel can be deployed to these wildland fires for up to 14 days, not including travel time. SFSFR is reimbursed by the agency that requests the use of our personnel and equipment through the mutual aid system.