Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County

Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County Proudly Serving the Communities of Aptos, Capitola, Live Oak, La Selva Beach, Rio Del Mar and Soquel.

View our Social Media Policy: https://linktr.ee/CentralFire Central Fire District's Social Media Policy https://www.centralfiresc.org/DocumentCenter/View/1619/District-Social-Media-Use-SOP

06/22/2026

Skip illegal home fireworks and consider these festive, safe alternatives on July 4th:

• Aptos Parade & Party: Join our firefighters at Aptos’ “World’s Shortest Parade” on July 4th from 10–11 AM, followed by festivities at Aptos Village Park.
• La Selva Beach Parade: Enjoy the parade at noon down Playa Boulevard, followed by a fun run, bounce house, pet show, and contests.
• Santa Cruz Firecracker Race: Join the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise for a 5K, 10K, and kids’ 1K at Harvey West Park.
• Scotts Valley Parade & Block Party: Begins at 11 AM on Scotts Valley Drive, featuring food, music, and activities.
• Wilder Ranch Celebration: Experience an Old-Fashioned Independence Day from 11 AM to 4 PM with games, demos, and treats.
• Watsonville Fireworks: Attend the “Fire in the Sky” show at Watsonville Airport, starting after dark. Gates open at 4:30 PM.
• Spirit of Watsonville Parade along Main Street: Features classic cars and a spectacular flyover.

Celebrate safely and enjoy this 250th Independence Day!

Our crews spent last weekend honing their skills in commercial ventilation, roof construction, and multi-unit ventilatio...
06/18/2026

Our crews spent last weekend honing their skills in commercial ventilation, roof construction, and multi-unit ventilation operations. These trainings ensure we’re always prepared to keep our community safe!

Thank you to the Truck 3572 crew for taking the lead!

06/16/2026

Repost . . 
 
Two weeks of training, teamwork, and skill-building wrapped up this week with the Santa Cruz County, Engine Operations Training hosted at CAL FIRE’s Ben Lomond Fire Training Center.

Firefighters from CAL FIRE, Santa Cruz Fire, Watsonville Fire, Scotts Valley Fire, Central Fire, Pajaro Valley Fire, and Pajaro Dunes Fire came together for an intensive series of live-fire evolutions focused on engine company operations. Training included second floor live fire evolutions, first-floor rescues, second-floor rescue scenarios, and vent-enter-search techniques designed to sharpen critical firefighting and life-saving skills.
These multi-agency training opportunities allow firefighters from across the county to work together, strengthen interoperability, and refine the tactics they rely on when responding to emergencies in our communities.

Collectively throughout the training, 72 live fire evolutions were conducted over 6 days to ensure all personnel received excellent training opportunities.

A special thank you to the Santa Cruz City Fire, the Fire Control Burn Cadre and instructors from all agencies; for organizing and hosting this county training and helping to ensure firefighters throughout our area have access to high-quality, hands-on training that builds readiness, professionalism, and operational excellence.

Repost ・・・Yet another spectacular job by Santa Cruz County fire responders to avert a tragedy. A woman who was stranded...
06/15/2026

Repost
・・・
Yet another spectacular job by Santa Cruz County fire responders to avert a tragedy. A woman who was stranded by the incoming tide on the beach below Cliff Drive in Capitola is rescued Sunday morning by a Central Fire rescue swimmer as he maneuvers a personal watercraft through the surf. Shortly before 9:00am Central Fire crews were dispatched when a person on the bluff noticed two people trapped on the beach below and called 911. Both people were safely rescued without injury.

Repost ・・・⚠️ BEACH HAZARDS WARNING ⚠️Over the past few weeks, law enforcement and fire crews have responded to an incre...
06/12/2026

Repost
・・・
⚠️ BEACH HAZARDS WARNING ⚠️

Over the past few weeks, law enforcement and fire crews have responded to an increased number of water rescues. With warm weather expected this weekend, beaches across Santa Cruz County are expected to be crowded. Please keep safety a top priority:

•Never turn your back on the ocean.
•Watch for sneaker waves and changing surf conditions. These powerful waves can surge much higher and farther up the beach than expected.
•Know how to recognize and respond to rip currents.
•Keep children within arm’s reach near the water.
•Swim near staffed lifeguard towers whenever possible.
•Stay off rocks, jetties, and driftwood near the surf zone.

Elevated temperatures and a long-period southerly swell are creating dangerous ocean conditions. Hazardous surf is expected through the weekend.

Stay alert, stay informed, and help keep our beaches safe.

Repost Central Firefighters:Your are completing live fire training! This is part of essential skills we need to master ...
06/09/2026

Repost Central Firefighters:

Your are completing live fire training! This is part of essential skills we need to master in order to best protect our public and communities. We are training with all of the fire departments that make up Santa Cruz County! We are honored and proud to be a part of this essential training!

Join us for Coffee with the Firefighters tomorrow, June 4, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Capitola Starbucks, located a...
06/03/2026

Join us for Coffee with the Firefighters tomorrow, June 4, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Capitola Starbucks, located at 41st Avenue and Clares Street in the Capitola Mall parking lot.

Stop by to learn about defensible space, summer fire safety, and steps you can take to better protect your home and property during fire season. We’ll also have information available about careers in the fire service, including our upcoming Paid Call Firefighter recruitment in July.

We look forward to seeing you there!

We are pleased to announce the recent promotion of Rolf Lingens to the position of Battalion Chief of Training and Safet...
05/30/2026

We are pleased to announce the recent promotion of Rolf Lingens to the position of Battalion Chief of Training and Safety! At our last Board meeting, Rolf’s badge was proudly pinned by his wife, Jennifer.

Congratulations, Chief Lingens!

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the service members who have given their lives for our nation. Their cou...
05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the service members who have given their lives for our nation. Their courage and dedication are recorded in our history. Let us take this time to reflect on their selflessness and express our gratitude.

Photo:

We are excited to introduce our new Deputy Fire Marshal, Alexis Reed! She began her fire service career in 2011 as a Res...
05/22/2026

We are excited to introduce our new Deputy Fire Marshal, Alexis Reed! She began her fire service career in 2011 as a Reserve Firefighter with the Alameda County Fire Department. In 2013, she joined the Richmond Fire Department as a Firefighter EMT and advanced to Fire Inspector in 2025.  With experience in emergency response, fire prevention, hazardous materials, and marine operations, DFM Reed brings a wealth of expertise to the role.

A proud Santa Cruz native, she is dedicated to serving and protecting her community. Please join us in welcoming Deputy Fire Marshal Reed!

Address

930 17th Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

(831) 479-6842

Website

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