Emergency Inside - San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department (CA)
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Belmont St. 14
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| E14 on scene |
The following is a summary of responses to interview questions regarding the department
Interviewee: Ryan Baudoin
General Information
San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department website: https://www.smcfire.org/
Currently, SMC Fire has 160 employees and
SMC Fire serves the cities of Belmont, San Mateo, and Foster City. The three cities became an official consolidated department in January of 2019
Note: This interview focuses on Station 14, an SMC fire station in Belmont (the term SMC Belmont refers to the Belmont "branch" of SMC fire). The information presented in this interview does not represent the entirety of the SMC fire department.
8) What are the desirable qualities for an applicant who is applying to SMC Fire?
- Standard 18+, a highschool diploma, and EMT certification are required
- College experience (such as College of San Mateo's fire technology program)
- Job experience is valued as it demonstrates qualities of hard work and reliability
- Previous experience with military organizations or other emergency response agencies (CAL FIRE, AMR, etc.)
-> Patient interaction is critical
- While EMT is required, paramedic certification is highly desirable (As noted before, all engines are ALS hence the department favors candidates who fit the criteria)
- A candidate should have a likable personality and should be able to get along easily with others. Being able to initiate a conversation is an emphasized skill
- Compassion for the job matters!
9) Any entry-level programs such as cadets or explorers? Seasonals? Volunteers?
- Yes! SMC fire has both a cadet and explorer program
-> Many employees started as cadets
- There are no seasonal positions or volunteers
10) General engine information
Note: This interview focuses on Station 14, an SMC fire station in Belmont (the term SMC Belmont refers to the Belmont "branch" of SMC fire). The information presented in this interview does not represent the entirety of the SMC fire department.
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| The exterior of Station 14 |
1) What is the most common call for SMC Belmont? Any special calls unique to SMC Belmont?
- Medical calls compose the majority of calls (~80% of total call volume)
-> All engines are ALS (paramedics aboard)
- Station 14 receives an abundance of traffic accidents due to its location right next to Highway 101
- 14 has a Hazardous Material Apparatus (see more details below) which provides coverage for all of San Mateo County (including cities and county areas)
-> San Francisco and Alameda have their own HazMat units. The most other cities surrounding Belmont depend on 14 to provide Hazmat response
-> Belmont was chosen to house the HazMat unit under a contract, Belmont receives just as many calls as any other city in San Mateo County. Hazmat calls in cities/counties fluctuate yearly
- Foster City (part of SMC) is specialized in swift water rescue
2) What is SMC Belmont able to respond to?
- SMC Fire is an all-hazards agency (the department is capable of responding to every level of hazard response). These incidents include and are not limited to:
-> Hazmat
-> Swift water rescue
-> Wildland fires
-> Structural fires
- Some members of SMC Fire can respond to FEMA incidents, but, the members must be on a specific task force (this is not provided by SMC fire, it is up to the individual to become part of these organizations)
- Some members of SMC Fire can respond to FEMA incidents, but, the members must be on a specific task force (this is not provided by SMC fire, it is up to the individual to become part of these organizations)
- Limits:
-> No rescue unit (Central County/Menlo is called if needed)
-> No full-sized boat for water rescue (team with Sheriff's office and Coast Guard if needed)
- Hazmat:
-> The hazmat is dispatched multiple times a week. The fire companies are trained to identify potentially hazardous material(s) upon each incident
-> Serious cases do persist: for example, radioactive material was found on a resident's property in San Carlos on May 2019 (Article: https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/02/radioactive-material-found-at-san-carlos-home/ )
-> A notable incident includes the Facebook scare in July when an unknown substance was found in one of the rooms, evoking a hazmat response. Tests returned negative but readings conflicted with eachother, causing the incident to extend (Article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Facebook-mail-facility-cleared-after-hazmat-scare-14066290.php#photo-17789289 )
- Hazmat:
-> The hazmat is dispatched multiple times a week. The fire companies are trained to identify potentially hazardous material(s) upon each incident
-> Serious cases do persist: for example, radioactive material was found on a resident's property in San Carlos on May 2019 (Article: https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/05/02/radioactive-material-found-at-san-carlos-home/ )
-> A notable incident includes the Facebook scare in July when an unknown substance was found in one of the rooms, evoking a hazmat response. Tests returned negative but readings conflicted with eachother, causing the incident to extend (Article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Facebook-mail-facility-cleared-after-hazmat-scare-14066290.php#photo-17789289 )
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| Rear of Hazmat 14 |
3) What role does SMC Fire play at wildfires?
- If called on for resources, the department will first take employees from the active-duty list (some may volunteer if they want)
- Station 27 houses an OES engine (a state resource which is to be staffed if the engine is needed for wildfire response)
- Overhead positions such as Batallion Chiefs and Line EMTs and Paramedics are also sent to incidents
4) How does SMC Fire collaborate with state/federal fire organizations? Roles?
- Keynote: The ICS (Incident Command System) is a management system used by the U. S. to organize the response to emergency incidents. This system directs all roles for fire departments
- SMC fire department members train and conduct drills with Central County Fire and San Bruno Fire employees
-> Future training with San Fransisco is planned
- SMC fire can train with CAL FIRE employees
-> SMC fire members can work with CAL FIRE employees on calls if dispatched to the same scene (commonly occurs with wildland fires)
-> CAL FIRE provides great job experience which makes candidates more favorable (discussed below)
- For federal relations, the ICS is used to organize responses
-> SMC fire may interact with Fedfire (the federal fire department) on government-owned land such as National Parks
5) How involved is SMC Belmont with its community?
- SMC Belmont is super involved! (The most involved so far in my series!)
- At least once a week or so E14 is sent out to a public event
- Events include:
-> Block parties
-> Appearances at libraries/schools
-> Open houses
- Station 14 is very open and engaged with the surrounding community, the department constantly strives to educate the public about the fire service and general safety
6) What current challenges exist within SMC Fire?
- Merging the three cities created an (expected) general conflict (mostly cultural: each fire department has its own way of doing things)
-> A "Fire Action Consensus team" was formed to discuss and settle agreements for the department
- Providing sufficient training:
-> The consolidation allows for employees from any of the three cities to work in any station within the three cities
-> As a result, any employee can end up in the station where the hazmat unit is stored, hence all employees need to become hazmat certified
-> Apply this need for training for the variety of specialties within SMC fire, and there is a great challenge
-> Solution: training!
7) What are the benefits of becoming a consolidated department?
- Efficient budget management
- Socialization of employees between the three cities
-> Before the consolidation, departments were limited to their own stations (which are very limited in number for Foster City and Belmont, they each only have two)
-> After the consolidation, there is a variety of locations for employees to work at. This provides opportunities for people to mingle and build connections
- SMC fire department members train and conduct drills with Central County Fire and San Bruno Fire employees
-> Future training with San Fransisco is planned
- SMC fire can train with CAL FIRE employees
-> SMC fire members can work with CAL FIRE employees on calls if dispatched to the same scene (commonly occurs with wildland fires)
-> CAL FIRE provides great job experience which makes candidates more favorable (discussed below)
- For federal relations, the ICS is used to organize responses
-> SMC fire may interact with Fedfire (the federal fire department) on government-owned land such as National Parks
5) How involved is SMC Belmont with its community?
- SMC Belmont is super involved! (The most involved so far in my series!)
- At least once a week or so E14 is sent out to a public event
- Events include:
-> Block parties
-> Appearances at libraries/schools
-> Open houses
- Station 14 is very open and engaged with the surrounding community, the department constantly strives to educate the public about the fire service and general safety
6) What current challenges exist within SMC Fire?
- Merging the three cities created an (expected) general conflict (mostly cultural: each fire department has its own way of doing things)
-> A "Fire Action Consensus team" was formed to discuss and settle agreements for the department
- Providing sufficient training:
-> The consolidation allows for employees from any of the three cities to work in any station within the three cities
-> As a result, any employee can end up in the station where the hazmat unit is stored, hence all employees need to become hazmat certified
-> Apply this need for training for the variety of specialties within SMC fire, and there is a great challenge
-> Solution: training!
7) What are the benefits of becoming a consolidated department?
- Efficient budget management
- Socialization of employees between the three cities
-> Before the consolidation, departments were limited to their own stations (which are very limited in number for Foster City and Belmont, they each only have two)
-> After the consolidation, there is a variety of locations for employees to work at. This provides opportunities for people to mingle and build connections
8) What are the desirable qualities for an applicant who is applying to SMC Fire?
- Standard 18+, a highschool diploma, and EMT certification are required
- College experience (such as College of San Mateo's fire technology program)
- Job experience is valued as it demonstrates qualities of hard work and reliability
- Previous experience with military organizations or other emergency response agencies (CAL FIRE, AMR, etc.)
-> Patient interaction is critical
- While EMT is required, paramedic certification is highly desirable (As noted before, all engines are ALS hence the department favors candidates who fit the criteria)
- A candidate should have a likable personality and should be able to get along easily with others. Being able to initiate a conversation is an emphasized skill
- Compassion for the job matters!
9) Any entry-level programs such as cadets or explorers? Seasonals? Volunteers?
- Yes! SMC fire has both a cadet and explorer program
-> Many employees started as cadets
- There are no seasonal positions or volunteers
10) General engine information
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| E14 |
- Includes standard medical equipment (LUCAS used for CPR)
- 24' ladder, 14' ladder and 10' attic ladder
- SCOTT SCBAs with 45-minute bottles (+TICs)
- Hose:
-> 700ft Large Diameter Hose (LDH) 5inch
-> 2 sets of 300ft of 2.5-inch hose
-> 300ft of 1.25 attack line
-> 2 sets of crosslays with 200ft of 3.25 inch
-> Garden hose reel on top
- RIC pack (Rapid Intervention Crew pack - a pack intended for rescuing a firefighter down) includes a one hour bottle with a universal connection (can attach to any pack in order to provide air); a transfill equalizes the pressure
- E14 does not have any hydraulic extrication tools (a truck is called if needed)
- Includes standard hand tools such as the fireman's ax
- Includes standard wildland tools such as the pulaski, Mcleod, etc.
- No rope rescue equipment onboard
- Chainsaw and circular saw are included
11) General hazmat information
- Hose:
-> 700ft Large Diameter Hose (LDH) 5inch
-> 2 sets of 300ft of 2.5-inch hose
-> 300ft of 1.25 attack line
-> 2 sets of crosslays with 200ft of 3.25 inch
-> Garden hose reel on top
- RIC pack (Rapid Intervention Crew pack - a pack intended for rescuing a firefighter down) includes a one hour bottle with a universal connection (can attach to any pack in order to provide air); a transfill equalizes the pressure
- E14 does not have any hydraulic extrication tools (a truck is called if needed)
- Includes standard hand tools such as the fireman's ax
- Includes standard wildland tools such as the pulaski, Mcleod, etc.
- No rope rescue equipment onboard
- Chainsaw and circular saw are included
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| Hazmat 14 |
- Note: The amount of equipment on Hazmat 14 is incredibly huge. This overview is very brief and does not cover every single piece of information
- Contains level A suits with cooling pouches (ice is placed inside)
- Includes medical kits, monitors (for various readings), air bottles, radios for IC, spark-proof tools, tape measures and more
- Headsets are used for communication with firefighters who enter the exclusion zone (area of risk) instead of radios (radios are reserved for the incident command members)
- Hazmat 14 uses a specific set up, indicated as the "Contamination Reduction zone", to decontaminate individuals in an incident
-> "Exclusion zone" includes the area with contaminated patients or high-risk materials
-> As patients move from the left to the right, they are sprayed and treated with decontamination materials in Kiddie pools
-> The "support zone" contains all treated patients
See below for plan
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| Hazmat 14 decontamination plan |
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| It's huge! |
Thank you to the SMC Fire Department for making this documentation possible!
Check out other interviews on different departments here
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