The Operations Division is one of three divisions within the Newport Beach Fire Department. It is the largest division and is comprised of personnel and equipment that respond to emergency incidents. There are over 140 personnel in this division and when you include seasonal lifeguards this number becomes approximately 340 personnel.
We are considered an all risk Fire Department. Examples of the type of emergencies that we respond to are fires, medical emergencies, hazardous material problems, beach rescues, traffic accidents, cliff rescues, high rise incidents, wildland fires, vehicle extrication, smoke/odor investigations, major flooding, disaster operations, etc.
There are eight fire stations in the city, a lifeguard headquarters building, a lifeguard substation, a Junior Lifeguard facility (in the summer), and 38 lifeguard towers. There are 117 full time firefighters and 13 full time lifeguards assigned to the Operations Division. On a typical day in the summer there will be 39 Firefighters, seven lifeguards, and 70 seasonal lifeguards on duty.
Our stations are located strategically throughout the city so that a fire unit can respond to your home or business in less than five minutes. Our average response time for Fire apparatus to an emergency call is 4 minutes 31 seconds.
Our front line apparatus includes eight fire engines (one at each fire station), two aerial ladder trucks (one on each side of the city), three paramedic vans, 3 lifeguard rescue boats, 8 lifeguard patrol units and 3 Command vehicles.
In 2011, the Fire Department responded to 9,811 incidents. They are broken down in the following categories:
|
Fires
|
199 |
| Medical Aid |
6,584 |
| Hazardous Material |
170 |
| Other Emergencies |
1,397 |
| Non-Emergency Service |
805 |
| Other |
661 |
In 2010, the Fire Department responded to 9,770 incidents. They are broken down in the following categories:
| Fires |
338
|
| Medical Aid |
7148
|
| Hazardous Material |
118
|
| Other Emergencies |
1302
|
| Non-emergency Service |
863
|
| Strike Team Response |
4
|
(Strike team refers to requests for mutual aid throughout the state to fight wildland fires or other types of
emergencies)
The Lifeguards response in 2011 is broken down as follows:
| Beach Attendance (est) |
9,446,850
|
| Preventative Actions |
131,688
|
| Public Contacts |
217,660 |
| Total Rescues |
3,525 |
| Aquatic Fatalities |
1 |
| Medical Aids |
6,541 |
| Major Medical |
428 |
| Lost Persons Reunited |
757 |
| Boat Rescues & Assists |
44 |
| After hours Call Outs |
66 |
| Dog Warnings |
1,757 |
| Surfer Warnings |
15,931 |
The Lifeguards response in
2010 is broken down as follows:
| Beach Attendance (est) |
7,102,150
|
| Preventative Actions |
76,249
|
| Public Contacts |
145,613
|
| Total Rescues |
2,190
|
| Aquatic Fatalities |
1
|
| Medical Aids |
4,836
|
| Major Medical |
199
|
|
Lost Persons Reunited
|
364
|
|
Boat Rescues & Assists
|
44
|
|
After hours Call Outs
|
66
|
|
Dog Warnings
|
558
|
|
Surfer Warnings
|
8,323
|
The Fire Operations Division is proud to provide emergency services to the residents and visitors of Newport Beach. We strive to follow our operating principles of Safety, Service, and Professionalism. The Fire Operations Division keeps up to date on the latest training and technology available to assist us in providing the best service possible. We know that you rely on us to protect your families. All Newport Beach firefighters and lifeguards take this responsibility very seriously. Please let us know how we are doing. We are always looking for ways to improve our service.
Chip Duncan, Acting Assistant Chief