Cooperative Efforts

In a State as large and populated as California, no one emergency response agency can do it all. That is why cooperative efforts via contracts and agreements between state, federal and local agencies are essential in response to emergencies like wildland and structure fires, floods, earthquakes, hazardous material spills, and medical aids.

The CAL FIRE Cooperative Fire Protection Program staff are responsible for coordinating those agreements and contracts for the Department. It is because of these cooperative efforts that you may see fire engines and firefighters from different agencies at the scene of an emergency, working under a unified command relationship.

It is also because of these agreements that CAL FIRE may be the department responsible for providing dispatch, paramedic, fire, and rescue services in numerous cities and towns that are not designated as state responsibility throughout California.