Frequently Asked Questions About Our Fire Service History
1. Why were there so many fire departments in Marin County?
Answer - The evolution of fire protection in Marin has followed the typical patterns found across America throughout our history. When communities were new or really small, there typically was no fire protection. Then, something happened, like a big fire. Suddenly there was great interest in doing something. Many small communities followed through on starting something, and some did not, for various reasons including cost. Eventually growth and an increased number of fires led to small fire companies being established, almost always volunteer.
If the community continued to grow, eventually the number of emergencies exceeded the ability of a volunteer system to provide adequate service. Usually this happened when the number of calls exceeded one per day, although circumstances varied. Paid firemen, as they were called back then, were hired to supplement volunteers, resulting in what was and still is called a combination FD. If growth continued, the department often became fully paid at some point, such as in most communities with more than 10,000 population in California.
In Marin today, we have the full range of departments, from some fully volunteer in West Marin to mostly fully paid or combination FD's in the eastern "urban corridor" along Highway 101. We also have Federal and State FD's, and one Private Fire Brigade. As growth continues, often FD's have found opportunities for consolidations or mergers that may result in cost savings or operational efficiencies. This is what has happened in some areas, such as San Rafael. The first FD in San Rafael was fully volunteer in 1874. Eventually there were several other FD's in the area as growth occurred. In SR's case this included California Park FD, Terra Linda FD, and the County providing service in some unincorporated areas nearby. Fast forward to today, and City annexations and growth have resulted in only one fully paid FD serving those areas - the City of San Rafael FD.
At the other extreme, communities such as Muir Beach and Nicasio have fully volunteer FD's that supplement County Fire Protection, given their low populations and the extended response times for County FD resources. The good news is that everyone works together in what today is a seamless system.
2. Are communities required by law to have a fire department?
Answer - the simple answer is no. If a community decides to have fire protection, however, there are many laws, regulations and standards that may apply to the provision of that service.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE CONTACT PAGE ON THE MAIN MENU BAR -we'll add to the list here.
Answer - The evolution of fire protection in Marin has followed the typical patterns found across America throughout our history. When communities were new or really small, there typically was no fire protection. Then, something happened, like a big fire. Suddenly there was great interest in doing something. Many small communities followed through on starting something, and some did not, for various reasons including cost. Eventually growth and an increased number of fires led to small fire companies being established, almost always volunteer.
If the community continued to grow, eventually the number of emergencies exceeded the ability of a volunteer system to provide adequate service. Usually this happened when the number of calls exceeded one per day, although circumstances varied. Paid firemen, as they were called back then, were hired to supplement volunteers, resulting in what was and still is called a combination FD. If growth continued, the department often became fully paid at some point, such as in most communities with more than 10,000 population in California.
In Marin today, we have the full range of departments, from some fully volunteer in West Marin to mostly fully paid or combination FD's in the eastern "urban corridor" along Highway 101. We also have Federal and State FD's, and one Private Fire Brigade. As growth continues, often FD's have found opportunities for consolidations or mergers that may result in cost savings or operational efficiencies. This is what has happened in some areas, such as San Rafael. The first FD in San Rafael was fully volunteer in 1874. Eventually there were several other FD's in the area as growth occurred. In SR's case this included California Park FD, Terra Linda FD, and the County providing service in some unincorporated areas nearby. Fast forward to today, and City annexations and growth have resulted in only one fully paid FD serving those areas - the City of San Rafael FD.
At the other extreme, communities such as Muir Beach and Nicasio have fully volunteer FD's that supplement County Fire Protection, given their low populations and the extended response times for County FD resources. The good news is that everyone works together in what today is a seamless system.
2. Are communities required by law to have a fire department?
Answer - the simple answer is no. If a community decides to have fire protection, however, there are many laws, regulations and standards that may apply to the provision of that service.
PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS ON THE CONTACT PAGE ON THE MAIN MENU BAR -we'll add to the list here.