Times have obviously changed since Alameda Fire Department [1] (AFD) was founded as a small volunteer organization in 1876. As Fire Chief Nicholas Luby pointed out in the department’s 2024 Annual Report [2], AFD responded to 10,012 incidents last year and provided mutual aid throughout California and as far away as Florida in response to Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
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[4]Here are a few more 2024 highlights from Chief Luby:
- The Community Assessment Response & Engagement (CARE) team responded to 1,332 calls.
- AFD’s Training Division facilitated 21,172 hours of training. The department added four new firefighters as part of Fire Academy 24-1, along with training 30 new Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer members.
- Fleet and resources were expanded with a new aerial truck and FEMA grant funding for a new dock to support the AFD fire boat.
- The Assistance to Firefighters Grant enabled eight members to attend special paramedic training at Sacramento State University.
- More than 70 community outreach events were held, including Safety Town, which Chief Luby described as “a cherished community program” that had been temporarily placed on hold during the pandemic. Now in its 51st year, the program educated more than 700 kindergartners about fire and safety.
- AFD completed the Fire Department Standards of Coverage/Community Risk Assessment project. According to Chief Luby, this report gave AFD “an objective analysis of how we are performing and what the community thinks about our service delivery.” It also “identified strategic gaps for the organization to focus on to ensure we maintain the services required by a growing community.”
CARE team
In 2024, the CARE Team was recognized as Program of the Year by Alameda County Emergency Medical Services Agency (ALCO EMS). Also in 2024, AFD received a $963,000 Byrne Discretionary Community Project Funding/Byrne Discretionary Grant, which is being utilized to fund the CARE Team program for the fiscal year 24/25.
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[6]Emergency Medical Services
In 2024 AFD received an Assistance to Firefighters grant from FEMA to send eight current Firefighter/EMTs to paramedic school over two years through a hybrid in-person/online program offered by Sacramento State University. Patient care equipment was also upgraded in 2024—new McGrath Video Laryngoscopes were purchased to replace aging intubation (airway) equipment and improve patient service.
[7]Fire Prevention
Among the many fire safety efforts made throughout 2024, AFD crews and Fire Prevention staff performed 2,557 inspections of businesses (1,552) and multifamily homes (1,005) citywide, along with visiting 113 construction sites to verify fire safety plans, confirm correct installation of fire protection systems, and document equipment testing. They also visited proposed and current daycare centers and schools to verify equipment function and review safety plans.
[8]Community Outreach
AFD’s many community outreach efforts in 2024 included ride-alongs, school visits (including daycare sites and home schooled students), scout troop visits, after-school program and summer camp visits, and both private and public events, from the July Fourth parade to the annual pancake breakfast and many more.
Goals for 2025
- Implement strategies to enhance citywide emergency water supply capabilities.
- Facilitate training for staff and place new fire boat into service.
- Complete installation of Alameda Fallen Firefighter Memorial.
- Continue to move station alerting system project forward to completion.
- Complete a full facilities analysis.
- Place a Peer Support Team in service.
- Continue to improve fire prevention capabilities.
There’s much more to discover, from AFD history to fire trucks, facilities, and job openings. Download the report in PDF format or read it online: City of Alameda Fire Department 2024 Annual Report [2]