Fire Suppression, Emergency Response and Rescue Systems

FIRE SUPPRESSION / EMERGENCY RESPONSE 

 In 2008, the Department responded to 1852 emergency incidents, with medical aid and vehicle accidents accounting for 66% of the incidents. In the last four years we have experienced two civilian fire deaths in Oakdale. This is a dramatic change in the trend we have enjoyed over the past fifty years. However, overall the fire loss in Oakdale is very low for the population and this can be directly attributed to our community development standards, fire and building code enforcement, public education and demographics. As our older sections of town increase in age and the influx of new construction this trend will continue upward. This will create a need for additional staffing of engine companies in the next five to ten years.

 Oakdale Fire Technical Rescue

The Fire Department has a Technical Rescue Team that is equipped and capable to mitigate confined space, trench and other technical rescue situation. This team was created with a community partnership with Con Agra, AL Gilbert and Oakdale Irrigation District. All members of our department and Rescue Systems 1 certified.

The Department also has a Swift Water Rescue Team and five Hazardous Materials / Specialists who are members of Stanislaus County Hazardous Materials Team. The Fire Department is trained and equipped to conduct gross decontamination at hazardous materials incidents, while the countywide team can mitigate any hazardous materials incident that does not exceed extreme circumstances.

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 Beside fire suppression the Oakdale Fire Department is equipment and trained to provide rescue service to the citizens of our community. They include but or not limited to vehicle extrication, swift water rescue, high and low angle rescue, structural collapse, industrial accidents, and about anything else that requires special equipment and training. rescue.jpg

Most of the rescue equipment is carried on Engine 24 and include the Jaw of Life, air bags, stokes basket, rope rescue equipment, power saws, and much much more. The majority of the equipment used by fire departments is very specialized and therefor is very expensive. All equipment is checked on a daily basis to ensure that it will be ready when needed.

In 2009 we were able to add a new rescue boat to our list of rescue equipment. The members of the boat rescue team have been trained and are available to responded to any type of water rescue. This could include swift water, flood water, irrigation canals, and recreational accidents. Due to the large number of waterways and recreational activities that are in our area this will be a great asset to the community. 

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