Fire

On behalf of the men and women of the Palo Alto Fire Department, we are honored to welcome all visitors to our homepage, whether you are a community member, a fellow firefighter, or simply curious about our incredible organization. In addition to the City of Palo Alto, we proudly serve the Stanford University community.

We are a professional team of men and women dedicated to safeguarding and enriching the lives of anyone, anytime, anywhere, with compassion and pride. We are focused on meeting our community's needs and aim to mirror our community through diversity and inclusion opportunities. 

Our outstanding fire department is comprised of highly trained professionals who are always prepared to respond effectively to emergencies. We take pride in handling various situations, from structure to wildland fires, medical emergencies to hazardous materials, and technical rescue to code enforcement and fire investigations. Our team is also made up of administrative professionals who are key contributors to the success of PAFD.

Highlighting community commitment, we are the only fire agency in Santa Clara County that provides a dedicated ambulance service staffed with skillful, compassionate EMTs and paramedics. We have been at the forefront of emergency medical transportation since 1975 and continue to innovate in this field through our partnership with Stanford Health Care.

You will discover a wealth of information and resources as you explore our website. We have dedicated sections on fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and community programs designed to empower our residents and businesses to take an active role in their safety. We strive to create a culture where everyone is prepared, informed, and ready to respond effectively during times of crisis.

After reviewing the material on our website, please contact our administration if you feel something should be added or improved. Our dedicated team is here to support you in any way we can. Together, we can build a safer Palo Alto. 

Sincerely,
Chief Geo Blackshire

The Fire Department conducts daily training exercises and ensures firefighters exceed all certification standards to maintain a state of readiness to respond to a wide variety of emergency and non-emergency calls for service. The three shifts of professional firefighters at each station work 24/7 to provide fire suppression, emergency medical services, ambulance transport, hazardous material management, technical and water rescue, and other types of interventions to protect the life and property of the community when needed. 

Looking for a Fire Station or to learn about the difference between a Fire Engine and Fire Truck? Check out the department's Operations page. 

To learn more about the Organization, goals and achievements of the department check out the Fire Administration page.

The Fire Prevention Bureau is housed in the Development Center, and ensures compliance with the fire code for the safety of occupants and protection of property. Fire Inspectors perform fire sprinkler and fire alarm plan checks, permitting and field inspections to ensure all construction complies with local and national codes.

Please send all inquiries relating to fire permits to firepermits@cityofpaloalto.org.  Visit the Fire Prevention page for more information on our department and public services. 

The Palo Alto Fire Department is taking all measures to protect public safety in response to COVID-19. All emergency response crews are strictly adhering to the Infectious Disease Control Measures required by the Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services Department. The Department and the City are continuously tracking and monitoring the public health situation in our community, including participating in the Santa Clara County briefings as well as monitoring advisories issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You can find the most up-to-date information on measures the City is taking by visiting the Coronavirus page.

For questions regarding your ambulance bill please contact our billing agency
Digitech at (888) 980-9213.

You may also visit their website to update your address, provide insurance information or make a payment at Ambulance Billing Patient Portal

Palo Alto Fire Department Records

Please select the type of record you are requesting and fill out the online form to submit a request for the record.  Feel free to contact our office if you have further questions.

PAFD Medical Records Request (Ambulance Transport/Billing Records)

Fire Incident Report Request - click this link and select the "Submit a Public Records Request" option and follow the instructions.