Department Goals / Mission Statement / History

History

• Merced Fire Department established November 3, 1873.
• Original name Merced Engine Company No.1.
• Renamed to Eureka Engine Company No.1 April 18, 1874.
• First Engine House built in 1885, on 18th St., between Canal and M.
• 1907 new station built on the corner of 18th and M.
• Modern new station built in 1953 replacing the previous two.
• October 24, 1997 Central Fire Station and Administrative Offices moved to 99 E. 16th

Merced County Courthouse Museum.

The Merced City Fire Department mascot is old betsy, a Hand Pumper built in the 1860's, which holds the record water stream distance from a hand pumper, and is on display daily at the local museum.

Total Stations: 5 Fire Stations, 1 Training Tower.

Total Apparatus: 5 Frontline Engines, 2 Reserve Engines, Frontline Truck, Reserve Truck, Reserve Squad, Aircraft Crash / Fire Engine, OES Engine, Rescue Trailer, Public Education Trailer, HAZMAT Decon Trailer, Rescue Boat, 2 Fire Prevention Vehicles, 4 Administrative Vehicles, 2 Support Vehicles. In addition to Old Betsy mentioned on display at the museum, we also have "Six Bits" a 1919 La France Pumper, and a 1928 La France Quad.

Total Personnel: 54 Line Personnel (15 Captains, 18 Engineers, 21 Firefighters) 3 Battalion Chiefs, 2 Division Chiefs, 1 Chief, 2 Secretaries, no Dog. Annual Call Volume is 4500. We are a paid only career department (no Volunteers, Reserves, or PCFS).

Check back for details
Annual Fire Department Open House which will be held in October, 2006.
Annual Christmas Toy Drive.