The People and Events of the 1980's

July 1, 1984

El Cajon Enters Automatic Aid Pact

"If your house is on fire, you don't care what name is on the side of the engine…you do care how fast it gets there, because one minute can make the difference in saving or losing a structure."

These words, spoken by Fire Chief Roger House, sum up the considerations that led to the existence of an "Automatic Aid Agreement" between various fire departments and fire districts within the Heartland Zone.

The 1984 agreement provided for "closest unit response" to fires. If a fire occurs inside the borders of El Cajon, but there is a Santee fire station closer, units from both cities respond to fight the fire.

The change from "Mutual Aid," assistance by request, to "Automatic Aid," assistance by closest, has improved fire protection in all areas of the East County and strengthened fire insurance ratings in the area.

November 8, 1986

New Fire Station Facility Opens

In November of 1986, El Cajon replaced its 34 year old "main" fire station with a new $2.2 million facility.

Located at the corner of Lexington and Magnolia, the 21,000 square foot building was funded, primarily, by federal community block grant money.

The facility, a tri-level design, is home to the computerized fire dispatching center, administrative offices, a fire prevention bureau, classrooms and living quarters for firefighters. The large apparatus bay area provides cover for an engine, truck, rescue unit, ambulance, command vehicle and firefighter association's antique fire engine.