Our History

On May 11, 1928, the Ventura County Fire Protection District (VCFPD) is established. Walter Emerick is appointed as the Fire Warden (Fire Chief). Fire headquarters opens at 845 E. Santa Barbara St. in Santa Paula. The building today serves as the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office.

The VCFPD purchased its first bulldozer in November of 1931. First aid kits were added to all VCFPD equipment in 1933.

The Fire District hired its first handcrew to fight wildfires and repair forestry telephone poles in 1942.

In 1950, Division Captains were reclassified as Battalion Chiefs. In 1954, Battalion Chiefs devised a numbering system for all fire engines.

In 1960, fire station names were changed to coincide with the engine numbering system. In 1964, VCFPD issued self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) masks to replace Chemox canister masks.

In 1966, the firefighter work schedule was changed to a 72-hour, two platoon system.

Minimum staffing was instituted throughout the county, ensuring at least three people on duty in a station at all times. The VCFPD also began its Fire Cadet program that year, VCFPD apparatus color was changed from red to yellow, and the Fire District’s first aerial ladder truck went into service in the city of Thousand Oaks.

A mandatory physical fitness program was instituted.

A central dispatch center was established and headquarters was moved from Santa Paula to a more central location in Camarillo.

The Incident Command System was implemented by all partner agencies within Ventura County.

The 911 telephone system went into service.

The hazardous material incident unit (Haz-Mat) was formed.

VCFPD hired its first female firefighter.

VCFPD established its first paramedic program at Stations 31 and 45. Fire Boat 5 was placed into service as a joint venture between the Fire District and the Harbor Department.

 VCFPD headquarters facility in Camarillo was remodeled and enlarged from 6,492 to 28,492 sq. ft.

A new Support Complex housing the Wildland/Aviation division, Supply Unit, and Repair Facilities opened in Oxnard. Computers were installed in all Fire District structural engines, ladder trucks, and command vehicles to implement computer-aided dispatch.

Total Fire District personnel numbered 645 (uniform, civilian, reserve, and seasonal). A new, state-of-the-art Fire Communications Center opened at headquarters in Camarillo.

The water rescue program became certified by the United States Lifesaving Association, with VCFD’s rescue swimmers bring trained to the same standards as lifeguards.

The Cardiac Arrest Management Program is established countywide. All firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians in the county began training in team resuscitation, defined roles, and continuous compressions. The VC-EMSA saw a significant jump in survival rates.

The Cardiac Arrest Management Program is established countywide. All firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians in the county began training in team resuscitation, defined roles, and continuous compressions. The VC-EMSA saw a significant jump in survival rates.

Copter 2 began servicing Ventura County, marking the first military surplus Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk used for firefighting in the County.