User:Hoseman456/Stockton Fire Department

History

The Stockton Fire Department began in 1850 with the establishment of the "Weber Hose Co." In 1853 a second hose company called the "Eurekas" was formed and with the growth of the city in 1855 there was a need for a third hose company called the "San Joaquins". After 38 years of volunteer firefighters, the fully paid fire department began in January 9th, 1888. At this time the City of Stockton was a booming city which was prosperring from being a goldrush support city. The population was 17,000 people and the city limits were aproximately 4 square miles. The SFD had 3 fire stations. Their apparatus included two active and one relief steam fire engines, one chemical engine, one hook and ladder truck, and two hose carts.

In 1913 the SFD began to retire the horse drawn engines with motorized ones. Then in 1971 the Stockton Fire Department became one of the very few fire departments to obtain ISO class 1 and is still to this day. As the fire department progressed in 1976 it also offerred paramedic service to its citizens with medic squads responding to EMS calls. Today the Stockton Fire Department has 13 ALS engine companies that responds with 2 of the 4 firefighters being paramedics. It also has 4 Truck companies that have a staffing of 5 per truck. One of the truck companies,T3 is unique as it is a two piece company that responds 2 on a Heavy Rescue (CA OES typed Heavy) and 3 on the truck.

Today
The Stockton Fire Department not only protects the city proper but also contract county districts that are surrounded by city limits (Country Club/Tuxedo, Lincoln District, Eastside district and Boggs Tract) together the total population that the SFD protects is 360,000 people. In 2009 The Stockton Fire Department responded to over 38,000 calls for service. Stockton continues to be one of the most busiest departments in the state with an average engine co. response being over 3,000 calls a year.