Suppression and Rescue

The Big Bear Fire Department responds with two engines to any reported fire. Dispatch also calls for automatic aid from our neighboring fire agency, San Bernardino County Fire Department, out of the Fawnskin area. A Chief Officer for Incident Command is one of the first tactics. The Incident Commander will oversee the entire fire fighting operation and will assign a Safety Officer to insure everyone is performing their job in a safe manner. Of course the highest priority is life over property. This includes the safety of the fire fighting crews. The Big Bear Fire Department adheres to the NFPA standards of "two-in/two-out." This means that there must be at least two people on the outside of a fire in case the two fire fighters making entry into the fire require rescue or help. Additionally, there is always at least two paramedics on scene available for medical assistance should anyone become injured.

Once the fire is called under control, the fire crews will then begin their mop-up stage and assure that the fire is completely extinguished. Then the investigation process begins. If it appears that the fire is suspicious in nature, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Arson Investigation Team and trained members of the Big Bear Fire Department will be called to provide a complete investigation.

The Big Bear Fire Department responds to several major structure fires every year. Fire crews are quick in their responses so that loss of property damage is kept at a minimum. Fire Prevention and Defensible Space play a key role in fighting fires and keeping these statistics low. Help us to help you keep your home fire safe and read through this website for further information such as smoke detectors, Firewise Landscaping, etc.