The Imperial County Fire Department (and Office of Emergency Services) provides a full range of services to the unincorporated communities of Imperial County, its townships, and the City of Imperial in California's southeastern desert. Services include fire protection, Basic and Advanced Life Support (BLS/ALS) emergency medical care, aircraft rescue firefighting at county airports, technical rescue (vehicle extrication, confined space, and high-angle), and hazardous-materials and suspicious-device response.

The department maintains its own fleet with California State Fire Mechanics and runs a Fire Prevention Bureau — headed by the Fire Chief acting as Fire Marshal — that enforces fire and building codes and delivers extensive public education, including reaching roughly 3,000 K-3 students during Fire Prevention Week.

How to get hired

Imperial County Fire hires firefighters and recruits Reserve Firefighters.

The department's training division provides all new members — full-time, part-time, and volunteers — an average of at least 20 hours of training per month, with live-fire evolutions conforming to NFPA 1403 at an on-site mobile burn trailer. EMTs complete 24 hours and paramedics 48 hours of continuing education every two years.

Frequently asked questions

What area does the Imperial County Fire Department serve?

The unincorporated communities and townships of Imperial County and the City of Imperial in southeastern California.

What specialized services does it provide?

Aircraft rescue firefighting at county airports, technical rescue (extrication, confined space, high-angle), and hazardous-materials/suspicious-device response, alongside fire suppression and BLS/ALS EMS.

Can I join as a reserve?

Yes — the department recruits Reserve Firefighters.