Business Details
32 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Emergency Services in Watsonville, CA
Established in 1994 through the consolidation of Salsipuedes and Freedom Fire Protection Districts, our organization has dedicated over three decades to safeguarding the Pajaro Valley community. We operate as a full-time paid department with 8 personnel, including specialized roles like Battalion Chief, Captains, Engineers, and a Fire Marshal, ensuring comprehensive emergency response capabilities. Our services extend across 52 square miles of rural Santa Cruz County, covering both SRA and LRA lands with automatic and mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments. We maintain a fleet including two Type 1 engines and a Type 1 water tender, responding to approximately 1,600 calls annually while providing Basic Life Support services supplemented by external ALS providers.Our strategic partnerships with Cal Fire and Watsonville Fire Department enhance our capacity to deliver fire prevention, hazardous materials mitigation, and disaster response. Through public education initiatives like school fire safety presentations and station tours, we foster community preparedness. Our defensible space programs and fire marshal services demonstrate our commitment to proactive wildfire defense. Governed by a five-member elected board, we maintain fiscal responsibility while adapting to evolving community needs. Our ISO-rated services ensure insurance compliance for residents within 5-7 miles of our station. With 24/7 operational readiness, we stand as the primary protector of 18,000 residents in Watsonville's unincorporated areas.
Services
Fire Prevention
Emergency Medical Services
Public Education Programs
Defensible Space Inspections
Fire Safety Training
Wildfire Response
Hazardous Materials Mitigation
Disaster Preparedness
Fire Code Enforcement
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 1994
Highlights and features
- We provide 24/7 emergency response with mutual aid agreements across Santa Cruz County
- Our department maintains ISO-rated fire protection services for insurance compliance
- We offer specialized wildfire preparedness programs including defensible space inspections
- Our public education initiatives include school fire safety presentations and station tours
- We operate with professional staffing including certified Fire Marshals and EMS personnel
Services
Emergency Medical Services
Our department provides Basic Life Support emergency medical services through trained personnel. We respond to medical emergencies daily while coordinating with external ALS providers for advanced care. Our dual-role capability ensures immediate response to both fire and medical incidents across the district's 52 square miles.
Wildfire Response
We maintain two Type 1 engines and a Type 1 water tender for wildfire response. Our crews operate under mutual aid agreements with neighboring departments to combat wildland fires. Specialized training ensures effective response to vegetation fires in both SRA and LRA designated areas.
Defensible Space Inspections
Our fire marshal office conducts defensible space evaluations to create safety buffers around properties. We educate residents on vegetation management zones (0-5ft, 5-30ft, 30-100ft) to protect homes from wildfire spread and improve firefighter safety.
Public Education Programs
We deliver fire safety presentations to schools and community groups. Our station tours educate residents about firefighting equipment and emergency preparedness. Programs emphasize smoke detector maintenance, escape planning, and carbon monoxide safety for local families.
Fire Code Enforcement
Our fire marshal office performs plan reviews and inspections per California regulations. We ensure compliance with fire safety standards for commercial and residential properties, including annual inspections of schools and daycare facilities in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District.
People
Mike Urbani
Battalion Chief
Battalion Chief Mike Urbani oversees district operations and serves as board liaison. With extensive experience in fire service administration, he manages emergency response protocols and community outreach initiatives.
Dave Martone
Board Director
Director Dave Martone has served on the board since 2008. He contributes institutional knowledge from his 16-year tenure to shape district policy and strategic planning decisions.
Robert Erbe
Board Director
Director Robert Erbe brings community perspective to governance since joining the board in 2018. He focuses on fiscal responsibility and service delivery improvements for district residents.
Ashley Moules
Board Director
Director Ashley Moules contributes fresh perspectives as a 2024 appointee. She prioritizes modernization efforts and community engagement in her two-year board term.
Jake Dellamonica
Board Director
Director Jake Dellamonica joined the board in 2024 with focus on operational efficiency. His four-year term includes participation in strategic planning and budget oversight.
Questions
What areas does Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District serve?
We serve 52 square miles of rural Santa Cruz County including Watsonville's unincorporated areas and both SRA and LRA lands.
What emergency services do you provide?
We offer fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and disaster preparedness across our district.
How can residents prepare for wildfires?
We recommend creating defensible space zones, maintaining smoke detectors, and participating in our public education programs.
Do you offer fire station tours?
Yes, we provide educational station tours for schools and community groups with two weeks' advance notice.
How is the district governed?
We're governed by a five-member elected board with monthly public meetings at our fire station.
What fire prevention resources are available?
We offer defensible space inspections, fire code enforcement, and community education programs on fire safety.
