Stockton Fire Chief, Ronald L. Hittle

Stockton Fire Department Profile

About the Department...
After 38 years of volunteer service, Stockton established a fully paid professional fire department in 1888. The department is led by a fire chief, who reports to the city manager. Currently, there are 276 sworn personnel working for the department, which are supported by 33 civilian employees.

In 1971, Stockton Fire Department received a departmental Class 1 City rating from the Insurance Services Office - the highest rating attainable - and in 1983, Stockton became one of only five cities in the nation to be awarded an overall Class 1 rating.  Presently, Stockton Fire is one of forty-seven cities in the nation that continues to hold this rating.

The department consists of six operational divisions to better serve the citizens of Stockton. The divisions are: Administration, Operations, Fire Prevention, Training, Communications and Emergency Medical Services.

Target Hazards
The most unusual target hazard is the Port of Stockton. This very active commercial port is capable of servicing over 70 percent of the world's vessel fleet. Bulk product and containerized cargo ships up to 900 feet in length navigate the 90 miles of waterways from San Francisco Bay to the Port of Stockton deep water channel.

Stockton is host to a variety of commercial and industrial complexes including agricultural chemical, bulk sulphur and coal-handling facilities, several tank farms, three hospitals, two enclosed shopping malls, a dozen high-rise buildings, an arena, ballpark stadium, and a metropolitan airport just beyond city limits. Additionally, the city is traversed by several major petroleum and natural gas transmission lines. Both State Highway 99, to the east, and Interstate 5, to the west, run the full length of the city. Highway 4 also runs through the city and serves as a connector to both Highway 99 and Interstate 5.

Contract Services
Since 1976, Stockton Fire Department has provided fire protection and emergency medical services to the Lincoln Fire District, as well as the Eastside and Tuxedo-Country Club Fire Districts since 1984. In 1992, the city also agreed to provide contractual service to the Boggs Tract Fire Protection District. All four districts have boundaries that are contiguous to the City of Stockton that brings the total population served to over 280,000 people and the area protected to about 87 square miles.

Fire Stations
The department has thirteen fire stations housing 13 engine companies and 4 truck companies. In addition, a Hazardous Materials Team is staffed by Engine 10; a Water and Dive Rescue Team is staffed by Engine 6; Urban Search and Rescue Team at Company 3; Fire Cause & Origin Investigation is provided by an arson investigator. Every firehouse is a Safe Station and a Safe Surrender Site.

• Mobile Command Unit
• HazMat Response Van
• Decon Unit
• Technical Rescue Unit
• Foam Trailer
• 2 Foam Trailers with eight 275-gallon totes of AFFF-ATC (foam)
• Trailer with twelve 55-gallon drums of AFFF (foam)
• 2 Fire Hydrant Repair/Maintenance Trucks
• 2 Fire Apparatus Mechanic Vans
• 7 Off-road Grass Rigs
  

All Engines and Truck 7 are staffed with four-person crews. Trucks 2, 3 and 4 are staffed with five-person crews.

The department is divided into two battalions. There are two Battalion Chiefs on duty, 24-hour duty each day, and a Chief's Operator (aide) who drives the Mobile Command Unit and responds to all structure fires, hazardous material incidents, or large-scale emergency medical service (EMS) calls in the city. The Chief's Operator also handles the daily staffing requirements.

Stockton Firefighters Relief Association (SFFRA)
The SFFRA was originally formed as the Stockton Firefighters Widows and Orphans Association in 1917. Currently, this benevolent organization provides death benefits to all current and retired Stockton Firefighters. The SFFRA also distributes a variety of scholarships to the children of members.

Stockton Fire Department Family Auxiliary
The Family Auxiliary is an organization that provides monetary aide to people victimized by fires within the Stockton Fire Department response area. Its members are lawful spouses, parents, and siblings of current, retired, or deceased firefighters who are, or were, members of the International Association of Firefighters. The Auxiliary assists Local 456 with charitable functions, provides support to the families of Stockton Firefighters injured on the job, and also send children, who are burn survivors, to firefighter burn camp.

Auxiliary Firefighters
Since World War II, the department has maintained a staff of twenty-five Auxiliary Firefighters who respond to all second and greater alarm fires and assist the career firefighters. These volunteer members do not participate in interior attack. Additionally, the auxiliaries assist with various civic functions such as the Asparagus Festival in April and the July 4th Waterfest Celebration.

Explorers Post #1888
In association with the Boy Scouts of America, the Explorers Post #1888 was established as a youth program to educate and encourage young men and women in the Stockton Fire Department response area. This program is for young men and women between the ages of 16 and 20. Meetings and training sessions in basic firefighting tactics and strategy are provided to introduce the members to a possible career in the fire service.

Community Support Events

The Stockton Fire Department would like to recognize the importance of community involvement by actively participating in and supporting several organizations with their fundraising and volunteer efforts.  Fire department employees dedicate hours of their free time to ensure that these events are successful.  This is the Stockton Fire Departments way of giving back to the community.  To view upcoming events, Community Support Events.

Note:  We are sorry, but the Stockton Fire Department is unable to meet requests for Fire Department patches, photographs, tee-shirts and/or memorabilia.  

In the event of an emergency call 911. 

For additional information please contact:

Fire Administration (City Hall) Map

425 North El Dorado Street

Stockton, CA 95202

(209) 937-8801