by Wendy Robinson | Jul 29, 2022 | Specialty Divisions, Training
I recently sat down for a cup of coffee with Capt. Jason Shanley to talk about recruitment. If there’s anyone who doesn’t need coffee, it’s Capt. Shanley. With a big smile and ready laugh, he talks a mile a minute and loves to joke. But he’s... 
by Wendy Robinson | Mar 15, 2022 | Specialty Divisions, Training
In 2021, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department responded to nearly 1,500 rescues. Many of those involved hikers, bikers, and horseback riders caught in dangerous conditions. While people can be carried or airlifted from a trail, mountain, or canyon, a rescue involving... 
by Wendy Robinson | Nov 16, 2021 | Station of the Month
If you walk your dog in Normal Heights and it needs a drink of water or a dog biscuit, you know you can stop by Fire Station 18. There are always a couple of bowls out front. It’s just that kind of place. Serving Normal Heights and Kensington, the crews want to be... 
by Wendy Robinson | Sep 27, 2021 | Station of the Month
It should come as no surprise that, in many ways, all fire stations are alike. Physically, they are basically the same; a great big “garage” called the apparatus floor, a big kitchen with four refrigerators*, a commercial stove, and a dining table. There are also... 
by Wendy Robinson | Jul 27, 2021 | Station of the Month
There are many similarities in all fire stations: big red vehicles, small sleeping rooms, kitchens with four refrigerators (really). But there is also something unique about each station. Station 1 downtown is the largest in the city, with eight apparatus; Station 17... 
by Wendy Robinson | Jul 27, 2021 | Training
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s fire academy instructors spent six Saturdays at the Training facility this spring, conducting the first Women’s Fire Prep Academy (WFPA). The goal was to identify women interested in a career in firefighting and show them what... 
by Wendy Robinson | Jun 29, 2021 | Station of the Month
Just off I-15 on World Trade Drive, Station 42 in Carmel Mountain Ranch was built in 1988. It’s a single-engine fire station with four firefighters. There has been a lot of growth and development in their district since then. And, because San Diego Fire-Rescue has a... 
by Wendy Robinson | Jun 9, 2021 | Station of the Month
Until recently, Fire Station 35 was the only station in University City (UC), but not the only one serving the area. Station 27 in West Clairemont Mesa and Station 9 in La Jolla both came into the south end of University City, along with Fast Response Squad 56 on... 
by Wendy Robinson | May 27, 2021 | Specialty Stations, Station of the Month
The Station that Specializes in Fire Hose Next to the firefighters themselves, fire hose is probably the most important thing on an engine. And that means this is a busy time for Station 20 in the Sports Arena area. In addition to their regular calls, the engine and... 
by Wendy Robinson | Apr 29, 2021 | Specialty Divisions, Station of the Month
The Air Operations Division of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department was born in 2000 when the City contracted with a helicopter operator. After the Cedar Fire in 2003, which at the time was the largest wildfire in California history, the City saw the value of having...