Pechanga Tribal CouncilFire Department
The Pechanga Fire Department (PFD) protects the citizens and infrastructures of the Pechanga Reservation. The PFD keeps Pechanga Tribal members, our elders, our children and their homes safe from the ravages of California's wildfires.
The PFD protects dozens of commercial structures such as the Pechanga Government Center, preschool, health care clinic, senior center and others, and more than 5,500 acres of diverse terrain on the Pechanga Reservation fire safe at all times. The PFD's responsibilities on the reservation and in collaboration with the other southern California fire departments of neighboring communities (such as the city of Temecula and the CDF-Riverside County Fire Departments) are diverse, and executed with tenacity, professionalism, and dedication.
At First, a Volunteer Department
The PDF was established in June 1996 after a fierce and wind-driven wildfire swept across the reservation, destroying eight homes. At that time, the tribe had no fire protection for itself: the California Department of Forestry's closest station, located in Old Town Temecula, responded to emergencies on the reservation. Prior to that, the Bureau of Indian Affairs carried the judicial responsibilities of protecting tribes from wildland fires. However, tribal member Rick Huard, a CDF firefighter at the time of the Pechanga reservation's devastating fire, took the lead in developing a volunteer fire department for the reservation. He brought his proposal for the new fire department to the General Membership and developed the volunteer fire department.
Over the next few years our tribal infrastructure kept expanding, and it soon became obvious that the volunteer fire department needed to transform into a full-time department with its own facilities and permanent fire fighters.
Today: A Full-fledged Fire Department
In April 1999, two of the original volunteers, along with seven others, were hired on to make up the full-time Pechanga Fire Department. Three captains, three engineers, and three firefighters comprised the original team. Five years later the force has nearly tripled — today, the PFD employs 23 full-time professionals. The PFD adheres to 310-1 (California Incident Command Certification System) training standards set forth by the state of California. It also meets stringent federal training regulations.
In addition, the PFD personnel complete specialized training including rescue systems I, II, river and flood rescue, and other specialized training courses.
The PFD has the responsibility of protecting the lives, property and economic development of the Pechanga Tribe. We ensure the safety of the tribe's natural resources on the reservation, including the Great Oak Ranch.
A Working Relationship Integral to the Temecula Area
Much of the everyday work of the PFD goes beyond the boundaries of the Pechanga Reservation and the Pechanga Resort and Casino. The department has established a model working relationship with the city of Temecula and the CDF-Riverside County Fire Department. The agencies assist one another with their mutual and autoaid agreements. Pechanga fire personnel were called upon during the devastating "Fire Siege" of October 2003. With the raging inferno scorching millions of acres in southern California, the department sent its brush engine to the Old Fire in San Bernardino, its water tender to the Mountain Fire in Temecula's wine country, and additional personnel were assigned to various incidents throughout the region.
The PFD exemplifies the value of Tribal Government Services working along side with non-tribal entities. The Pechanga Band's department and those agencies of surrounding Native and nonnative communities, have all invested wisely to increase and share protocol and protection for the land and all of its people. When the 2003 wildfire erupted, the PFD responded to the need of the Band and neighboring communities. Pechanga donated to the Tribal Disaster Relief Fund and others to help tribal members and non-tribal members who sustained damages and losses of life during the October-November wildfire disaster in Southern California.
Three years earlier, the largest southern California wildland fire of 2000 ignited in the reservation 'backyard' and burned 64,000 acres covering difficult, dangerous and inaccessible terrain that had not burned for more than 100 years. The PFD was officially recognized by the United States Forest Service and the CDF as having distinguished itself with courageous action and good judgment. The department was invaluable to the incident command team and to the successful extinguishment of this fire — as noted on an achievement plaque that hangs proudly at the entrance to the Pechanga Fire Station.
Community Involvement
One of the most rewarding activities for the PFD personnel is its community involvement. On the reservation, they have implemented a resident fire protection service, which includes providing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors to residents. In 2003, the department received a Fire Act grant, helping to fund additional fire prevention and education programs. The department participates in Fire Prevention Work with personnel going to the reservation and area schools to teach children about the importance of fire safety. The San Diego Burn Institute benefits greatly from the Pechanga Tribal Governments resources and fundraisers.
The PFD looks to the future and sees continued growth and prosperity natural to the growing economy of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. The department stands to face the challenges and changes that lie ahead. We are determined to approach and even attack such tasks with professionalism and the best level of service in the arenas of fire suppression, prevention, public education, and EMS and rescue programs. The Pechanga Fire Department works to ensure that all Pechanga residents are protected.