About Us

The history of the Sierra Madre Fire Department began over one century ago on the morning of January 21, 1921, when a raging fire broke out at the Sierra Madre Bakery and the closest responding unit was 30 minutes away. Once the fire was extinguished a conversation arose between the city and its residents for the essential need of a local fire agency. It was this incident that sparked the development of the Sierra Madre Volunteer Fire Department. The community of Sierra Madre was served by committed individuals(many of whom worked and lived in the city) that volunteered their time to aid in fire suppression and medical emergencies. It wasn’t until the end of the 20th century that staffing transitioned from a volunteer fire department to a combination of volunteer and paid personnel. At this point in the department’s history, huge milestones also took place including the outsource contract for dispatch services with Verdugo Fire Communications Center, raising the bar of qualifications for new hires, hiring a full time fire chief in 2006, and start of the paramedic program in 2007. Members of the department consistently pushed for a more dependable staffing model in all non-administrative positions and to be a part of the globally recognized International Association of Fire Fighters(IAFF). Devoted personnel with the vision of better arrangements with the City led to Sierra Madre Firefighters entry into the IAFF and acknowledgement by the City as Local 5216 on June 13, 2019. In addition to having a designated bargaining unit, the Sierra Madre Fire Department made the monumental change to a Full Time Career Fire Department on September 1, 2019. Today, your local 5216 is led by 3 executive members and emphasizes on exceptional public service, professional and productive relations with the City, and active involvement in the community.