History
The Twentynine Palms Fire Department responds to approximately 2500 calls for assistance each year. The 88 square mile service area is covered by two fire stations; Station 421 (Headquarters) located at 6560 Adobe Road and Station 422 (Desert Heights) located at 3834 Lear Ave. Each Station is staffed 24-hours a day by a three-person engine company consisting of a career (paid) company officer and two volunteer reserve firefighters. Operational command is handled by a career duty officer who is either in station or on-call within the district.
The career full-time staff consists of the Fire Chief and six company officers (two Captains and four Engineers). They are assisted by 1 part time Administrative Assistant and 30 volunteer reserve firefighters. The company officers work 72 hours per week and are trained in all diverse aspects of today's fire service. Besides training in structural and Wildland firefighting and as emergency medical technicians, these company officers have additional training in hazardous materials, technical rescue (vehicle extrication, swift water, high-angle, trench and confined space.), and terrorism response, the newest community threat, required to lead the reserve firefighters.
The reserve firefighters are young men and women seeking full time careers in the fire service. They have received basic training as firefighters and emergency medical technicians at community colleges throughout Southern California. These reserve firefighters normally stand one24-hour shift per week at a fire station. Many of them travel 100 miles or more one way from their homes in Southern California to stand duty in Twentynine Palms. Their dedicated commitment allows the department to maintain daily staffing at both fire stations and they gain a valuable experience and additional training as they pursue the goal of a full time career in the fire service.
