For a historical review of the people and events that took place during the periods listed below, just click on the pull-down menu below and go the the year desired.
There you will find news clippings, personnel history and photographs. The photos are thumbnail images. Click on a thumbnail image to enlarge.
Enjoy the trip!
Pre-1920
July 1, 1892 - First recorded fire in El Cajon
Circa 1913 - City's First Fire Alarm
May 1, 1915 - First Recorded Fire Protection
May 3, 1922 - Fire Protection for El Cajon
February 23, 1923 - Meeting of Fire Committee held
March 1, 1923 - El Cajon Fire Department Formed
December 7, 1923 - First Fire Truck purchase
Circa 1933 - L.J. Macosky Appointed Fire Chief
Circa 1937 - Raymond Halgren Appointed Fire Chief
January 1, 1938 - Fire Station leased from W.D. Hall Co.
January, 1938 - New Fire Truck arrives
July 18,1941 - Ambulance service is established
February 2, 1947 - Push for paid fire personnel
January,1948 - Raymond Halgren becomes the first paid
Fire Chief.
Stop, Drop and Rock'N Roll
Stop, Drop and Rock'N Roll
September 1, 1970 - Thomas Owen Appointed Fire Chief
November 16, 1972 - First Emergency Medical Technicians
May 4, 1975 - Training Center and Fourth Fire Station Open
February 12, 1977 - Main Fire Station Expanded
El Cajon joins the rapidly growing field of EMS, sending seven firefighters to paramedic school. Those people were: Dan Lerch, John Wilkinson, Vince Toscas, John Sanchioli, Frank Battaglia, Mark Shipley and Mike Hubert, who helped pave the way. Mike is now a Battalion Chief for the City of Poway.
EMS related calls now make up 80% of our present call volume.
December 20, 1980 - Paramedic Service Begins
July 1, 1984 - El Cajon Enter Automatic Aid Pact
June 25, 1986 - Joint Powers Emergency Dispatching
November 8, 1986 - New Fire Station Facility Opens
September 12, 1988 - Navy F-14 Jet crashes at Gillespie Airport
This page is dedicated to all of the men and women that have served with the El Cajon Fire Department