PHILOSOPHY OF OPERATIONS

The City of Costa Mesa is Orange County's Crown Jewel, nestled between Newport Beach and Santa Ana and is approximately one mile from Southern California's incomparable coastline. Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue has a rich and honorable history of providing excellence in emergency response and public safety service to the residents and businesses of Costa Mesa. With over 113,000 residents encompassing an area of 16.8 square miles, we respond to over 12,500 calls annually. The city is extremely diverse and provides a wide variety of responses. Freeway emergencies are common with the 73, 405, and the 55 freeways running through the city. There are large commercial, as well as dense residential areas, and wildland urban interface. Large target hazards include South Coast Plaza and the Performing Arts Center. Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue is an active participant with the Metro Net Cities and the Orange County Fire Authority, an automatic/ mutual aid system and training collaborative with surrounding cities. Together, these cities provide highly trained professionals to any emergency. The closest emergency response unit is dispatched to the emergency, regardless of city boundary.

THE ORGANIZATION AND SERVICES

Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue consists of three divisions: Fire Administration; Fire/Rescue/EMS Operations; and Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction. Although each division has its designated priorities, we provide a broad scope of services to the community.

We have recently completed implementing a comprehensive reorganization plan, which was focused on a more effective and efficient integrated deployment model utilizing paramedic rescue ambulances. Additionally, this past year, the organization worked together to develop and implement a five-year strategic plan. Currently, one Paramedic Engine Company is staffed by a Captain, an Engineer, and two Firefighter/Paramedics; three Paramedic Assessment Units (PAU) Fire Engines, in addition to three paramedic rescue ambulances, two truck companies, one USAR/rescue squad, and 26 fire/rescue personnel on shift 24/7/365, supervised by a Shift Battalion Chief. These fire/rescue personnel respond from six fire stations strategically located within the City limits of Costa Mesa. Fire Suppression personnel work 24-hour shifts, totaling a 56-hour workweek, on duty to provide life safety, fire protection, environmental protection, and emergency medical services one of three 24 hour shifts.

As a smaller metro department we take pride in positions earned by our personnel, including: PIO, Base Camp Manager, Demobilization Manager, and Line EMT's. Our Rescue Squad is an OES type I resource and personnel are compensated for technical rescue training. We also staff our own Arson Investigation Unit. Moreover, our Fire Prevention/Community Risk Reduction Division actively collaborates with the City's Pubic Services and Development Services departments to provide a robust fire and life safety program, focusing on community risk reduction and public education.

In addition to Community Risk Reduction and Fire Suppression, a key function of the Costa Mesa Fire Department is the provision of emergency medical services (EMS) to the ill and injured. In fact, a significant number of our emergency responses are EMS-related. Consequently, every firefighter is cross-trained and certified as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and is capable of providing BLS (Basis Life Support) emergency medical care. For those patients with more serious problems, the Department has 30 Mobile Intensive Care Paramedics who have received specialized training and are licensed to provide ALS (Advanced Life Support) emergency medical care.

The mission of the Department’s EMS division is to optimize patient outcome by providing the highest quality of care with proficiency, compassion and efficiency. The men and women of the Costa Mesa Fire Department take pride in their involvement in the community programs ensuring our City is a fire-safe place to live, visit, and work.