Valley Center Fire Protection District

Resolution No. 2019-07 - Resolution continuing the annual special tax levy for community facilities district. View Notice

The Valley Center Fire Protection District invites applicants for the position of Firefighter-Paramedic. An internal, promotional examination will be conducted June 1 through June 4, 2019. Click for more information and application.

The Valley Center Fire Protection District (District) retained Citygate Associates, LLC (Citygate) to perform a Standards of Coverage (Deployment) Study. This study reviews the adequacy of the existing deployment system from the current fire station locations and makes recommendations for change where indicated. This report is presented in three volumes, including this Executive Summary (Volume 1) summarizing our findings and recommendations, a Technical Report (Volume 2) that is the Standards of Coverage (deployment) technical assessment, and a map atlas of deployment coverage measures (Volume 3).
Click on the reports below to view.

On behalf of the 40 professional men and women that serve the citizens of the Valley Center Fire Protection District, I welcome you to the Valley Center Fire Protection District web page. Here you will find both statistical, as well as anecdotal information regarding the district. The Valley Center Fire Protection Districts operates a full service fire department providing services ranging from fire prevention, public education, fire suppression, emergency medical services in partnership with Mercy Ambulance, technical rescue and hazardous materials mitigation.

Operating from 2 strategically located stations in an 84.5 square mile response area, the Valley Center Fire Protection District provides the highest quality of service to our 20,000 residents and visitors who come to our community and experience our family atmosphere. We responded to over 1720 calls for service in 2016 and with our growing community, we expect to see an increase in calls for service in the years to come.

We have strived to provide you with information that is most frequently requested, and I hope you find this page easy to navigate. As always, if you see ways we can make your experience here on our page better, please do not hesitate to let us know by contacting any of the members of the Valley Center Fire Protection District.

Bridges and Crossings
Bridge FAQs
Bridge Brochure
Letter to Home Owners

August, 2017
Dear Property Owner,
In an effort to provide prompt and efficient emergency services to our customers, the Valley Center Fire Protection District is surveying all bridges, culverts and other crossings within our jurisdiction to ensure compliance with District, County and State fire codes. This effort is in response to the identification of several substandard, non-permitted bridges or culverts in the district, with the ultimate goal of preventing our fire apparatus from falling through a bridge or collapsing a culvert. Our staff has conducted a survey and determined that there is a bridge or culvert on your property. We will be requiring that all private bridges and culverts have the maximum vehicle load limits posted on both entrances to the elevated structure.

In order to ensure the safety of our personnel and equipment, we cannot guarantee our fire apparatus will cross your bridge or culvert until such time as we receive verification that your elevated structure will support a capacity of 75,000 pounds. Rest assured we will continue to provide prompt service to your property; however, service will likely be delayed if the capacity of your structure remains unanswered. Verification of capacity may be accomplished by one of the following:

1. Provide proof of a permit, or obtain a permit from the County of San Diego, Department of Planning & Land Use (858) 694-2960

2. If your bridge or culvert cannot be permitted by the County, obtain written verification from a licensed structural engineer. You may find such engineers in the yellow pages under "engineers-structural."

We thank you for your prompt attention in this matter. Should you have any questions, please contact me at (760) 751-7600. A completed county permit or verification can be mailed to Mike Shore, Fire Marshal at the above address.

Mike Shore, Fire Marshal
Valley Center Fire Protection District

Making plans ahead of time can often mean the difference between tragedy and survival. And, while the VCFPD and other emergency responders are dedicated to making your life safer, no one agency or governmental entity can do everything that needs to be done to protect you in all circumstances.

Good planning includes having knowledge of your community, its terrain, its roads, the best places to go or avoid in an emergency, what media stations to turn to during a disaster for information, and many other things.