In response to recent wildfires that pushed firefighting resources to the limit, the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District is enhancing its operational readiness with the acquisition of 10 new fire engines. The accelerated purchase, approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, is part of an $11 million investment aimed at expanding emergency response capabilities across the region.
Unlike custom-built fire trucks that can take up to four years for delivery, these pre-designed and pre-engineered fire engines are expected to arrive within just eight to ten months. This significantly reduced production time ensures the Fire District can put them into service far sooner than traditional models.
“These trucks are designed for rapid deployment, which is critical as we prepare for future wildfires and other emergencies,” said Dale Sandoval, San Bernardino County Fire’s fleet manager. “Once they arrive, they’ll be operational with minimal adjustments like adding fire district decals and equipment.”
The purchase of these engines comes at an important time as San Bernardino County continues to face increasing wildfire threats. The recent Bridge and Line Fires placed extraordinary demand on existing resources, highlighting the urgent need for additional apparatus. The newly acquired fire engines will initially be placed into frontline service. Another nine custom-built fire engines, currently in production, will replace aging units in the fleet upon their arrival.
Once the fire district’s custom-built fire engines are deployed, the new rapid-production engines will transition into reserve status ready for immediate activation when needed. This decision will enhance County Fire’s depth and flexibility, ensuring that extra resources are available at a moment’s notice for large-scale emergencies.
“With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, having reserve fire engines ready to roll is a game changer for us,” added Fire Chief Dan Munsey. “This is about making sure our firefighters have the tools they need to protect lives and property across San Bernardino County.”
For more information on San Bernardino County Fire’s ongoing efforts and initiatives, visit sbcfire.org.