The Coalinga Fire Department (CFD) was established in 1903. The CFD was all volunteered until 1906, when the city hired a full time Fire Chief. Today, the CFD is a combination department, with 20 full-time and 11 reserve personnel.

The Fire Department provides fire prevention, fire suppression, paramedic level ambulance transport, public education and community service.

The CFD personnel are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We cover the City of Coalinga; we are also the ambulance provider for almost 1200 square miles of the west side of Fresno County.

In 2007, Coalinga Fire Department responded to approximately 2300 requests for service. CFD had recently entered into an Automatic Aid Agreement with Fresno Country Fire Protection to provide better service to the City of Coalinga and the surrounding area.

Preparing for future growth of the city, the department has purchased a new fire engine and a second station is in the planning stage.

The CFD runs a 3 Platoon schedule. At this time, it is a 3-4 Kelley schedule. There are 18 full-time firefighters and 2 administrative staff, the Chief and Administrative Assistant. Each shift has 1 Captain, 1 Engineer, 3 Firefighter/Paramedics, and 1 Firefighter/EMT. This level of staffing allows for a two man engine company, two permanently staffed ambulances, and by calling back off-duty personnel, a third or fourth ambulance.

The Coalinga Fire Department

300 W. Elm Ave
Coalinga, CA 93210
Phone: (559) 935-1652 Fax: (559) 935-1638

The Beginning (1887 – 1900)

With Southern Pacific Railroad coming to the area in 1887, coal was mined and exported for the fuel used on steam engines. They had three coaling stations.... Read More

The Need for Fire Suppression (1900 – 1903)

In 1900, there were over two dozen framed buildings, mostly saloons among shanties and tents. 1903 brought the erection of Coalinga’s first brick building.... Read More

OOPS…. (1903 – 1906)

In 1903, Chief Boyd and his crew kept house next door to the Opera House. In a testimonial to their effectiveness, they celebrated their first year as an.... Read More

First Fire Truck (1915)

April 8, 1915, the City of Coalinga took delivery of their first motorized fire apparatus, an American La France Type 20-combination chemical engine.... Read More

Continuing Problems & Second Fire Truck (1916-1921)

Fire after fire continued with disastrous results because of no water. The water system of that time was always breaking down; leaks and pump failures.... Read More

First Pumper (1925)

On January 30, 1925, Coalinga received their first pumper, Engine No. 1. It was a 1924 American La France Type 75 triple combination.... Read More

Group Picture (1925)

With the advent of the machine age came improvement and modernization of Coalinga’s fire defenses. Three fire engines replace the colorful but.... Read More