Ryan Michaels, Assistant Chief

Email: Ryan.Michaels@fire.ca.gov

The Operations Division is comprised of the District’s emergency response personnel and equipment. The daily emergency response staffing for the entire fire district is 39 personnel. This staffing includes (2) Battalion Chiefs, (14) 2 – 3 Person Engine Companies, (2) 3 Person Truck Companies, (1) Medium Rescue Unit, 2 Water Tenders  housed in 15 full time fire stations.  Several facilities have water tenders or patrols to cross staff when there is a need. The District provides a full range of emergency responses services including but not limited to, structural fire suppression, wildland fire suppression, response to hazardous materials incidents, urban search and rescue, water rescue, vehicle extrication, technical rescue as well as basic life support medical services. Fire District emergency response personnel respond to over 14,000 incidents annually, of which approximately 8,000 or 68% are medical in nature, ranging from motor vehicle accidents and elderly falls to childbirths and heart attacks. All Fresno County Fire District personnel provide Basic Life Support (BLS). When a medical emergency is reported via 911, the closest Engine Company is dispatched in conjunction with the ambulance provider. The intent is to get the closest available resource to the patient as soon as possible, so the appropriate medical treatment can be given. At times because of the extended distances to local hospitals, the District utilizes the services of air ambulances (helicopters) to transport severely injured or burned patients to the appropriate hospital.

Specialized/Technical Rescue Program

Specialized/Technical Rescue consists of Rope Rescue, Confined Space, Trench rescue, or Water Rescue.   Each of these rescue types requires extremely high levels of training. The Fresno County Fire District’s Ladder Trucks & Rescue Units have been equipped to meet the state standard of “medium rescue” capabilities. A specially designed Rescue Unit & Trench Trailer carries a cache of US&R equipment. Two Boat Units are also available to assist with calls for service in bodies of water.  These resources respond as part of Office of Emergency Service (OES) Regional Task Force (RTF) 5. The 29 men and woman of RTF 5 are made up from several local fire departments and can respond anywhere in the State of California to assist with emergencies..