HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD Proclamation Supporting the Fire Department's 150th Anniversary
City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
THE SAN RAFAEL FIRE DEPARTMENT’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY
WHEREAS, The San Rafael Fire Department was organized on December 14, 1874, and has served its
community with unwavering dedication, valor, and professionalism for 150 years, standing as a
beacon of safety and resilience since its founding; and
WHEREAS, the Department was originally named the “San Rafael Hose Company One and made up of 45
volunteers and in 1879 the Department changed its name to the “San Rafael Hose, Hook and
Ladder Company” and proudly used the motto, “We are always ready when you want us!”;
and
WHEREAS, funding for the Department in the early days was made up primarily of member dues, annual
fundraising dances, and donations; and
WHEREAS, the Department’s first hose carts were originally pulled by hand until 1907 when the
department purchased two horses “Tom and Jerry”, who were then replaced by the first
motorized vehicle in 1913, with Tom and Jerry living out their lives in San Anselmo; and
WHEREAS, the Department went from a volunteer department to a full-time paid department in 1945
absorbed the Terra Linda Community Service District Fire Department in 1972, and started
providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) to San Rafael, Marinwood, CSA 13 and 19 in 1978 and
continues to provide state of the art medical care to all residents; and
WHEREAS, eight Fire Chiefs have honorably served the Department in 150 years; and
WHEREAS, the Department now consist of the Administration, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Fire
Prevention, Office of Emergency Services, Operations, Training, Wildfire Mitigation Divisions
that provide 24/7/365 first response to San Rafael but work to prevent and mitigate disasters in
our community; and
WHEREAS, in 2023, the San Rafael Fire Department responded to over 12,000 emergency calls for service
out of six fire stations, utilizing five engines, one ladder truck, and two paramedic ambulances
to provide life-saving services and disaster response to the community; and
WHEREAS, the EMS Division consists of firefighter-paramedics staffed on all units, ensuring that advanced
life support (ALS) services are available 24/7 and equipped with state-of-the-art medical
equipment, including cardiac monitors, defibrillators, automated CPR devices, and advanced
airway management tools, allowing paramedics to provide critical interventions such as
intravenous drug administration, advanced cardiac care, and respiratory support in the field;
and
WHEREAS, the Fire Prevention Division conducts thorough inspections of commercial and multi-family
residential buildings, schools, hospitals, assisted living facilities, hotels, motels, and high-risk
occupancies, as well as overseeing all construction projects that require the installation of fire
protection and life safety systems; and
WHEREAS, Operations responds to all emergencies in San Rafael and is always staffed with a minimum of
23 personnel across the City’s six fire stations; and
WHEREAS, the Division of Training provides manipulative training and classroom education for all
department personnel to meet the evolving needs of emergency responders in a 21st-century
including structural firefighting, wildland firefighting, behavior health, hazardous materials,
paramedic skills and first aid, company drills, leadership, firefighter safety, engine pumping,
technical rescue, water rescue, Incident command, and multi-casualty incidents; and
WHEREAS, the Office of Emergency Services assures staff and residents are prepared to respond and
recover for disasters of any scale through planning, mitigation, training, drills, and exercises;
and
WHEREAS, the Wildfire Mitigation Division coordinates efforts to implement the San Rafael Wildfire
Prevention and Protection Action Plan through evacuation route improvements, vegetation
management, alert and warning programs, and by providing education and resources to help
all residents, businesses, schools, and community organizations adapt to threats of wildfire by
creating defensible space, hardening structures, and preventing ignitions; and
WHEREAS, San Rafael Fire Department employees have demonstrated extraordinary bravery and
selflessness in fulfilling their fundamental responsibility to safeguard human life and property
against the elements of fire and disaster, often placing themselves in harm's way to protect
others; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael community continue to honor and remember the sacrifice of the seven fallen
firefighters who lost their lives on duty in San Rafael as well as the firefighters who died too
young from occupational hazards resulting in cancer and other health related issues; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the support of the San Rafael Community, the San Rafael Fire Department is well
positioned for the future with the completion of construction of Fire Stations 51, 52, 54, 55, 57,
and new training facilities from 2020 to 2024; and
WHEREAS, in celebration of this historic occasion, we express our deepest appreciation to the heroes of the
past, present, and future who wear the badge with pride and carry the legacy forward; and
WHEREAS, the San Rafael Fire Department proudly serves and will continue to do so, following the motto,
“Our mission is to help.”
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael do hereby recognize and
honor the City of San Rafael Fire Department’s 150th Anniversary of exemplary service, expressing profound gratitude
for their courage, sacrifice, and dedication to the well-being of the community, and on behalf of all residents and
community members in San Rafael, thank those that have served, continue to serve, and recognize those that have paid
the ultimate sacrifice for their community.
_____________________
Kate Colin
Mayor
