Area Served[]
The Avalon Fire Department (AFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the City of Avalon, a resort destination community and the only incorporated city on Santa Catalina Island, one of eight Channel Islands, and the southernmost city in Los Angeles County, Southern California. Catalina Island is situated in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 22 miles south southwest of the Los Angeles Harbor breakwater. The City lies on a floodplain in the southeastern portion of Catalina Island. In addition, the Consolidated Fire Protection District (CFPD) of Los Angeles County (CFPD) provides paramedic and lifeguard services within the City of Avalon under contract. Lastly, under another agreement with the CFPD, the US Navy provides high-speed transportation assistance in the event of a wildfire on Santa Catalina Island. Avalon got its name from a Celtic word meaning “island of apples.” Incorporated on June 26, 1913, the city encompasses an area covering 7.66 square miles and serves a population of approximately 3,460 inhabitants.
Mutual Aid[]
The Avalon Fire Department has an automatic/mutual aid agreement with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Department Profile[]
The Avalon Fire Department is served by 11 full-time professional firefighter positions and a 30-member reserve firefighting staff. Daily staffing is a traditional three member engine company supporting fire and Basic Life Support (BLS)/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) activities on a three-platoon Kelly schedule. Advanced Life Support (ALS) services are contracted with Los Angeles County Fire/Baywatch Paramedics. Avalon Fire responds to just under 1,000 calls for service annually, the majority of which are medical calls.
Dispatch[]
The Avalon Fire Department receives its dispatch services from the LA County Sheriff's Department out of its Avalon station on the island. 911 calls are received here for all emergency service providers on Catalina; Sheriff, County Fire, Avalon Fire and Baywatch
History[]
The Avalon Fire Department has served the citizens and visitors of Avalon and Catalina Island since the city was incorporated in 1913. The use of motor vehicles on the island and in the City of Avalon is restricted; there is a limit on the number of full-sized vehicles, which translates into a 25-year-long wait list to bring a private car to the island. Most residents use golf carts or mini cars for transportation.
Fire Stations[]
| Station | Address | In Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 201 Metropole Street | ??-2004 | Closed, demolished and replaced by current fire station. Now the Catalina Island Museum |
Apparatus Roster[]
- All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.
- California License Plate denoted by CA#
Fire Station - 420 Avalon Canyon Road[]
Built 2004
- Engine 1 - 2013 Ford F-550 DRW 4x4 / E-One (150/350) (CA#1338808)
- Engine 1 (Reserve) - 1998 Ford F-350 4x4 / Knapheide / FD built (150/250)
- Command 1 - 2005 Chevrolet Suburban 4x4 (CA#1354829)
- Engine 2 - 2002 Freightliner FL 80 / E-One (1500/500) (CA#1400482)
- Truck 3 - 1988 E-One Hurricane (1500/300/80' rear-mount)
- Rescue 4 (BLS) - 2006 Ford E-350 / Road Rescue Type III (CA#1216279)
- Rescue 6 (BLS)- 2002 Ford E-350 / Road Rescue Type III
- Engine 7 - 2003 HME 1871 / Westates (1500/750) CA#1131334)
- Utility 9 - 2007 Ford
- Harbor Patrol Unit - 2010 Ford Explorer 4x4
- Antique - 1940 GMC custom pumper (250/100)
Retired Apparatus[]
- 1989 Ford Type II ambulance (Ex-Mobile Command, ex-Rescue 5)
- 1985 Ford / West Coast brush (150/100) (Ex-Engine 1)
- 1982 Ford / Horton Type I modular ambulance (Ex-Rescue 4)
- 1979 Crown Firecoach CP150-56DT pumper (1500/500) (SN#F-1808) (Ex-Engine 7) (Sold to Willcox Fire Department)
- 1972 Ford F-250 4x4 / Crown FCP10-366 brush (100/200) (SN#F-1680)
- 1963 Ford C850 / Crown CPS100-50-53-C850 aerial (1000/?/50' Snorkel) (SN#F-1319)
- 1956 International / Van Pelt pumper (1000/400) (Ex-Engine 2)