County approves five-year fire master plan

County supervisors on Tuesday approved a five-year Fire Master Plan.

The comprehensive document is designed to help county leaders, fire agencies and residents understand San Diego County Fire Authority’s scope, its future direction and what it needs to be effective for five more years.

Formed in 2008, the fire authority provides support to 15 rural fire agencies, including Intermountain Fire and Rescue Volunteer Department and nine other volunteer stations. According to the county, it extends round-the-clock protection to 1.5 million acres in the unincorporated county that previously had part-time or on-call emergency service.

The Intermountain department provides fire and rescue service to 125 square miles bordering Ramona, Julian, Lake Henshaw as well as Palomar Mountain. In 2008 Intermountain, through a contract with San Diego County, joined the San Diego County Fire Authority (SDCFA).

As part of its contract with the county, Intermountain retains its original response area, provides mutual aid to nearby departments and provides staffing at additional stations. It main station is at 25858 state Route 78.

The 140-page Fire Master Plan is available online at bosagenda.sdcounty.ca.gov/agendadocs/doc?id=09010e9680174b28.