But don’t worry. Our fire stations are always fully staffed and ready to respond to emergencies at home. Helping others means they’ll be there to help us when we need it. From humble beginnings to today, Anaheim Fire & Rescue has come a long way. Anaheim Fire & Rescue is one of the most advanced fire and emergency agencies in Orange County and even California. We also will lend support on fires throughout our state and region. During the tragic Eaton and Palisades fires in early 2025, Anaheim Fire & Rescue sent strike teams and equipment to help our neighbors to the north. Along with the rest of Anaheim, our fire department came of age in the 1950s when we opened our first standalone station along Broadway near City Hall. Yet things were still evolving. Ed Stringer, our chief at the time, was called the “hitchhiking chief” because he didn’t have his own emergency vehicle. He would hitch patrol car rides or use his own 1936 Plymouth to get to fires, sometimes long after they were put out. Today, Anaheim Fire & Rescue is one of the prides of our city — a full-service emergency services team focused on our neighborhoods and businesses. With our newest station, set to open in 2026, we’ll have an even dozen spread across the city with plans for the 13th in early stages right behind it. Each day, Anaheim Fire & Rescue responds to dozens of medical emergencies, fires and traffic collisions. Other times our first responders are deployed to wildfires, hazardous materials calls and swift water or other rescues. In 2020, Anaheim Fire & Rescue took another step forward by switching from contract providers to our own ambulance operators. The move has saved millions of dollars annually and also helps recruit future firefighters with ambulance positions serving as a stepping stone into our department. Opposite, top: Early days: fighting fires with wagons and buckets Opposite, middle: Early engine: a step forward for Anaheim firefighting Opposite, bottom: Coming of age: our first standalone station 17 Summer–fall 2025 I ANAHEIM Wildfire vehicles: ready to respond to any wildfire threat in east Anaheim Traffic collision response: one of dozens of daily calls
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