Southern Marin Fire Protection District is an independent special district established by the Marin County Board of Supervisors in July of 1999. The District was formed by the merger of the Alto-Richardson Fire Protection District and the Tamalpais Fire Protection District. On July 1, 2006 the City of Sausalito Fire Department joined with SMFD under a Contract for Services. The Fire District now serves the communities of Tamalpais Valley, Almonte, Homestead Valley, Alto, Strawberry, approximately 1/3 of the town of Tiburon, as well as the City of Sausalito. The District covers 11.5 square miles, a population of approximately 27,700 and over 14,100 homes and commercial properties. The District has 52 full time employees including a chief, 3 battalion chiefs, 9 captains, 36 firefighters/engineers (15 of whom are also paramedics), 3 administrative staff, and 9 reserve firefighters.
The District operates three stations, and responds to over 4,000 incidents per year. The headquarters station in Strawberry serves as the administrative offices and houses an Engine, Paramedic Medium Rescue, and the Battalion Chief. The Tamalpais Valley station houses a Type 1 (Municipal) Engine, a Type 3 (Wildland) Engine, and a Paramedic Ambulance. The Sausalito station houses an Engine, Ladder Truck, and a Paramedic Ambulance. The crews there cross-staff the Fireboat, an Inflatable Rescue Boat, and are members of the Dive Team.
The District is governed by a seven member Board of Directors, and there are five members on the Sausalito City Council. Members of the District
Board, and City Council are elected by the residents and serve four year terms. The District Board meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Headquarters Fire Station, 308 Reed Blvd, Mill Valley. We encourage the public to attend and participate in District Board Meetings. Sausalito City Counsel meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month.
In addition to our own area, the District provides paramedic ambulance service to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Beach, and the Muir Woods National Monument. The District also provides a regional rescue unit which serves all of the above areas, the Tiburon peninsula, and the Golden Gate Bridge area. Mission Statement
Southern Marin Fire Protection District will strive for excellence in the performance of our duty and service to the community and the customers we serve. We are committed in finding better ways of protecting the lives and property of our citizens from the ravages of fire and other disasters and devoted in working together for the betterment of our community.
Ethics and Values
Knowing that firefighters are held to a higher standard of conduct, the firefighters of the Southern Marin Protection District will make every effort to uphold those standards that are entrusted to us. We will take an active role in maintaining a professional image of the Fire Service through promptness, efficiency and dedication to duty.
Communicating with the Public
We will serve the public with courtesy and respect, providing assistance wherever our skills and talents are needed. We will be ever vigilant in promoting awareness of fire hazards and in educating our citizens of all ages.