OCFA History
Our History
We are here to serve you. In 2025, the Orange County Fire Authority celebrated 30 years since making its debut in 1995. During this special occasion, we would like to take this opportunity to reflect thoughtfully on the last quarter century, while boldly rising to the challenges of our present and future.
Our department is dedicated to making Orange County a safer place to live, work and play. Our rich history has helped us become who we are today. We are continually working to ensure that our training, equipment and facilities meet the changing needs of the citizens and communities we serve.
Our strength as an organization is based on the unwavering commitment to excellence held by the men and women of your fire department. Thank you for allowing us to serve you over these many years.
25 Year Anniversary “Our PEOPLE”
30th Anniversary Retrospect
March 1, 1995
The Beginning
JPA
An organizational meeting is held at 180 South Water Street, Orange, to establish a Joint Powers Authority that will guide the future Orange County Fire Authority.
March 30, 1995
Larry Holms
Larry Holms is named OCFA’s first fire chief.
April 1995
OKC bombing
OCFA sends California Task Force 5 members to assist with recovery efforts following the Oklahoma City bombing on April 19.
July 20, 1995
Westminster
Westminster becomes OCFA’s 19th member-city.
1997
Pipe and Drum Corps
OCFA’s Executive Committee officially recognizes the Pipe and Drum Corps. The Corps performs at OCFA functions, member-city events, and during local, state and national memorial services.
October 1, 1997
Chip Prather
Chip Prather is named OCFA’s second fire chief.
1998
Honor Guard
OCFA’s Executive Committee recognizes the formation of the OCFA Honor Guard. The Honor Guard presents colors at all formal OCFA events and travels to annual state events in Sacramento and the national fallen firefighter ceremonies in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
September 22, 1998
Westminster water reservoir
A 5 million gallon water reservoir in the city of Westminster fails, sending a wall of water and concrete cascading into Fire Station 65 and an adjacent condominium complex. Several on-duty firefighters sustain injuries and the water causes thousands of dollars in damage. Six people are injured, and more than 30 people are rendered temporarily homeless. Incredibly, no lives are lost.
December 26, 1999
Laguna Hills arsonist
An arsonist is caught on video setting fire to a massage center in Laguna Hills. Seventy-five firefighters are called into action, and the damage is estimated at $1 million.
January 27, 2000
Laguna Woods
Laguna Woods becomes OCFA 20th member-city.
March 23, 2000
Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita becomes OCFA’s 21st member-city.
July 26, 2001
Aliso Viejo
Aliso Viejo becomes OCFA’s 22nd member city.
September 2001
9/11
Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, OCFA sends dozens of firefighters to assist in recovery efforts at Ground Zero.
April 23, 2002
Metrolink
OCFA crews, including the Urban Search & Rescue Team, respond to a head-on collision between a southbound Metrolink commuter train and a northbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight hauler. Two passengers are killed and hundreds are injured.
October 2003
WEFIT
OCFA’s WEFIT, (Wellness and Fitness Program), is created to promote injury prevention and employee health and wellness. The collaborative effort, between OCFA and Local 3631, provides employees with access to health and lifestyle information, routine or trainer-led workouts, and specific programs to build strength, flexibility, and fitness.
April 7, 2004
RFOTC opens
The Regional Fire Operations and Training Center (RFOTC) opens, consolidating Executive Management and all OCFA administrative functions within a single location.
September 2005
Hurricane Katrina
OCFA sends members of California Task Force 5 to support Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
February 7, 2006
Sierra Peak fire
A fire breaks out at Sierra Peak in the Cleveland National Forest. The fire is contained six days later with more than 10,000 acres burned and eight firefighters injured.
October 21-November 8, 2007
Santiago Fire
On October 21, one of the most significant Orange County wildland fires in more than 30 years ignites. The arson-caused fire burns near Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road, east of Irvine Lake. Driven by extreme Santa Ana winds in excess of 50 mph, combined with low humidity and long-range spotting of embers, the fire spreads three miles in less than 20 minutes. It lasts for 19 days, burns 28,517 acres, and destroys 42 structures (14 homes, four commercial buildings, and 24 out buildings). Another 14 structures (eight homes, three commercial buildings, and three out buildings) are damaged before the fire is contained on November 8.
November 15-19, 2008
Corona Fire
On November 15, the Corona Fire Department receives an initial report of a vegetation fire at the westbound 91 Freeway and Green River. Within minutes, OCFA receives similar reports at its Emergency Command Center. Driven by high temperatures, eight percent humidity, Santa Ana winds in excess of 60 mph, and long-range ember spotting, the Freeway Complex Fire results in the greatest loss of Orange County homes since the 1993 Laguna Beach Fire. More than 381 homes, commercial structures, and out buildings are damaged or destroyed. Six cities in four counties are impacted within the fire’s 30,000-acre path before it is contained on November 19.
December 2008
Bell 412
OCFA purchases two Bell 412 helicopters equipped with water tanks, snorkels, rescue hoists, and night vision capacity. The helicopters improve response capabilities in wildland firefighting and remote rescues.
June 11, 2009
Keith Richter
Keith Richter is names OCFA’s third fire chief.
December 22, 2010
Dec 2010 Flood
OCFA responds to numerous emergencies following heavy rains, mudslides, and debris flows. This prompts evacuations in Silverado, Modjeska, Dove, and Williams Canyons, as well as parts of San Juan Capistrano. Five homes in Dove Canyon sustain severe damage during the mudslides and several homes in Silverado Canyon and Williams Canyon are also damaged.
September 11, 2011
10th Anniversary of 9/11
On the day marking the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, OCFA pays tribute to those who lost their lives in 2001.
April 20, 2012
Santa Ana
Santa Ana becomes OCFA’s 23rd member-city.
September 28, 2013
1st community evacuation drill
Following after-action report recommendations from the Santiago and Freeway Fires, OCFA and partner agencies successfully conduct Orange County’s first-ever community evacuation drill. More than 1,000 households from the wildland urban interface neighborhoods of Cowan Heights and Lemon Heights participate.
May 16, 2016
Ruby's fire
An electrical issue in a bait shop near the abandoned Ruby’s restaurant results in a fire on the Seal Beach Pier. 70 firefighters and eight fire boats from OCFA and neighboring departments are able to suppress the blaze, though the pier is left damaged and is not re-oponed for three years.
December 30, 2016
Knott's Sky Cabin
At 2 pm, the Knott’s Berry Farm Sky Cabin ride becomes stuck, leaving 21 people trapped 125 feet above the ground. OCFA’s Urban Search & Rescue team is called in and utilizes a combination of fire truck aerial ladders and rappelling techniques to harness the passengers and bring them down one by one in a rescue that lasts over two hours.
August 23, 2017
Hurricane Harvey
OCFA sends members of California Task Force 5 to support Hurricane Harvey rescue and recovery efforts.
September 25-October 4, 2017
Canyon 1 Fire
Canyon 1 Fire…
October 9-17, 2017
Canyon 2 Fire
The Canyon 2 Fire starts in the city of Anaheim when an ember is blown from inside the fire line of the Canyon 1 Fire into surrounding brush. Shifting winds and low humidity enable the fire to spread to parts of Orange, Tustin, and Corona. A united effort consisting of numerous fire and law enforcement agencies and city and county organizations is able to manage the incident, and no lives are lost. 1,600 firefighters battle the fire from the ground and various firefighting aircraft are utilized throughout the event. The campaign lasts until October 17 and 9,217 acres burn, with 15 homes destroyed and another 45 damaged.
January 9, 2018
Montecito Mud and Debris Flow
OCFA sends members of Regional Task Force 10 to support the Montecito Mud and Debris Flow recovery efforts.
April 16, 2018
Brian Fennessy
Brian Fennessy is named OCFA’s fifth fire chief.
August 6-September 13, 2018
Holy Fire
An act of arson in Holy Jim Canyon results in a month-long campaign to extinguish the Holy Fire. 23,136 acres burn in the Cleveland National Forest, affecting Orange and Riverside Counties.
September 2018
Hurricane Florence
OCFA sends members of California Task Force 5 to support Hurricane Florence rescue and recovery efforts.
November 2018
Camp Fire
OCFA sends members of Regional Task Force 10 to support the Camp Fire recovery efforts.
August 16, 2019
Garden Grove
Garden Grove becomes OCFA’s 24th member-city.
February 2020
Covid
The global Coronavirus Pandemic reaches Orange County.
October 2020
Silverado & Blue Ridge
In the fall of 2020, the Santa Ana winds entered our region and increased the threat of wildland fire throughout Southern California. Due to anticipated extreme weather conditions, OCFA implemented additional staffing on Monday, October 26th. Just after 6:45am that day, a wildfire was reported near Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road, northeast of the City of Irvine. The Silverado Fire moved toward the Irvine communities of Orchard Hills, Northwood, and Portola Springs all morning before eventually shifting Foothill Ranch and Lake Forest. In the end, more than 12,000 acres burned, 90,000 residents were evacuated (including OCFA’s headquarters!), and two OCFA handcrew firefighters were severely burned.
As if that weren’t enough, a second major wildfire started in Yorba Linda around midday, immediately threatening homes. The Blue Ridge Fire would go on to burn 13,700 acres, and cause an additional 10,000 residents to evacuate.
October 26, 2020, was truly an unprecedented day in Orange County history.
December 2020
Bond Fire
The Bond Fire was a significant wildfire that erupted late at night on Wednesday, December 2 in the Silverado Canyon area after a structure fire spread into surrounding brush. It ultimately burned more than 6,500 acres before it was fully contained on Thursday, December 10. At the height of the fire, more than 25,000 residents were evacuated from Silverado, Modjeska, and Williams Canyons. The fire destroyed roughly 30 structures and damaged several others.
February 2021
California SFT Accreditation
OCFA’s career firefighter academy program earns an official accreditation from California State Fire Training (SFT).
June 14, 2021
Quick Reaction Force
OCFA partners with Southern California Edison, Los Angeles County Fire Department, and Ventura County Fire Department to spearhead the launch of Quick Reaction Force (QRF), the world’s first 24/7 full-nocturnal wildfire aerial task force led by the largest firefighting helicopters on the planet.
February 10, 2022
Emerald Fire
Residents feared the worst when a fire started in the hills above Laguna Beach in the early morning of Thursday, February 10. Firefighters were able to keep the Emerald Fire under 160 acres. No homes were damaged or destroyed.
May 11-17, 2022
Coastal Fire
The Coastal Fire ignited on May 11, 2022, in the vegetation near Aliso and Wood Canyon between Laguna Beach and Laguna Niguel. It grew rapidly due to dry brush and strong winds. While it only burned 200 acres, it destroyed 20 homes and damaged 11 additional structures. Despite the severe destruction of property, there were no civilian injuries or deaths.
October 19, 2022
Wildland Resource Center
OCFA receives nearly $17 million for a new Wildland Resource Center from the California State Senate.
April 10, 2023
Pax
Pax, OCFA’s first peer support canine, is put in service.
August 8, 2023
Hawaii Wildfires
Incident Support Team (IST) members as well as Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines were deployed to Maui following the devastating Hawaii wildfires. They searched burned areas to locate humans remains to help identify missing persons. Personnel were deployed up to 21 days.
August 23, 2023
Cook’s Corner Active Shooter Incident
On August 23, 2023, OCFA responded to the Cook’s Corner Active Shooter Incident in Trabuco Canyon. While OC Sheriff Deputies worked to secure the scene, OCFA firefighters and paramedics attended to nine victims, triaging and transporting them to local hospitals.
November 7, 2023
Hangar Fire
OCFA responded to a fire at one of the iconic Tustin blimp hangars. The Hangar Fire engulfed the 17-story, 1,000-foot-long wooden structure, eventually destroying it. OCFA’s All-Hazards IMT worked for three weeks to mitigate the incident as well as restore safety to the surrounding communities.
January 2024
Security Measures
Based on recommendations from the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC), OCFA implemented several enhanced security measures to strengthen campus safety and operational resilience.
June 10, 2024
ORION
ORION, Community Risk Reduction’s new record management system, goes live.
June 22, 2024
Firehawks
OCFA’s Air Operations received a major upgrade with the purchase of two brand new Sikorsky S-70m Firehawks. Purpose-built for firefighting, rescue, and emergency response, the Firehawk brought increased lift capacity, extended range, and advanced avionics to OCFA’s fleet. Its ability to carry over 1,000 gallons of water or retardant dramatically enhanced aerial firefighting effectiveness across Orange County’s diverse terrain. The aircraft also strengthened OCFA’s hoist rescue, EMS transport, and multi-mission response capabilities. Designed with firefighter and patient safety in mind, the Firehawk represents a modern, highly adaptable platform. The addition of these aircraft reflects OCFA’s continued commitment to innovation, operational readiness, and protecting the communities it serves.
September 9-October 6, 2024
Airport Fire
In the early afternoon of Monday, September 9, 2024, a wildfire broke out in Trabuco Canyon near the Trabuco Flyers remote aircraft field. Named the Airport Fire, it would go on to burn more than 23,000 acres in Orange and Riverside County, destroying 160 structures and damaging over 30 more. While no one died in the blaze, OCFA was devastated when, while driving back to their station after working all day, one of their firefighter handcrew buggys swerved to avoid hitting debris in the road and flipped. Between the heroic work of the uninjured firefighters and an off-duty Orange City Fire Department Captain/Paramedic, all firefighters involved in the accident survived. Eight were transported to the hospital that night, and while four were discharged the next day, the others faced months if not years of recovery.
September 2024
Hurricane Helene
Category 4 Hurricane Helene caused widespread catastrophic damage in late September in southeastern United States. California Task Force 5 sent a Type 3 Task Force – 45 personnel as well as 4 canine teams – to South Carolina to assist in the search, rescue and recovery efforts. Task Force members rescued multiple people from flood waters and residents trapped in their homes.
October 2024
Hurricane Milton
As Hurricane Helene was winding down, Category 5 Hurricane Milton hit Florida. California Task Force 5 was reassigned, upgraded to a Type 1 Task Force, and increased to 80 team members. The Task Force staged in Georgia while most of their efforts took place in Florida.
January 7-31, 2025
Palisades and Eaton Fires
OCFA assists in the response to a series of 14 destructive wildfires in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, including the Palisades & Eaton Fires.
November 7, 2025
Timber
Timber, OCFA’s new accelerant detection canine, is put in service after Freedom retires.
February 26, 2026
TJ McGovern
TJ McGovern is officially confirmed as the Interim Fire Chief.