Santa Clara County Fire Department

Monta Vista Station

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I stopped by the Monta Vista station of the Santa Clara County Fire Department during my last trip to the Bay Area in March 2000. These guys have their own set of challenges to deal with, with everything from wildfires to torrential rains that result in mud and rock slides. What I REALLY want to know, though, is how on earth they get their fire trucks down to the houses at the very end of Stevens Canyon Road!

As of 2000, the Santa Clara County Fire Department has 16 stations, 265 paid personnel and 40 volunteers protecting a 100 square mile district with a population of 210,000. In 1998 they answered over 12,800 emergency calls.

The Monta Vista station of the Santa Clara County Fire Department used to be a residential home. Needless to say, it is quite nice, with cathedral ceilings and a patio. They staff a 3-person engine company from this station.

First-out pumper, Engine 7