The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District has a rich and complex history shaped by decades of consolidation and cooperation among numerous local fire agencies. Since its formation, Contra Costa Fire has grown to become one of the largest and most capable fire and emergency services organizations in California.

Formation and Early Growth

Contra Costa Fire was officially established on December 29, 1964, through the merger of the Central Fire Protection District and the Mt. Diablo Fire Protection District. This foundational merger brought together key fire stations across the region. 

• Central Fire Protection District: Stations 1, 3, and 4 in Walnut Creek and Stations 2 and 5 in Pleasant Hill

• Mt. Diablo Fire Protection District: Stations 6, 8, and 10 in Concord, Station 7 in West Pittsburg, Station 11 in Clayton, and Station 9 in Pacheco

Annexations and Consolidations

• Mountain View Fire District: Joined Contra Costa Fire on December 1, 1966. Station 12 served the unincorporated areas of Martinez.

• Martinez Fire Department: Became part of Contra Costa Fire on July 1, 1968, following voter approval of Measure F. Stations 13 and 14 were included in the annexation.

• Lafayette Fire Protection District: Merged into Contra Costa Fire on January 1, 1969, after the City of Lafayette incorporated and voted for annexation. This included Stations 15, 16, and 17.

• Bay Point Fire Protection District: Annexed on January 1, 1969. It had no paid personnel. Station 18 and a second station in Port Chicago (used by the U.S. Coast Guard) served the area.

• Island Fire District: Dissolved in stages. Service Areas F3 and F4 (covering unincorporated Antioch and Pittsburg) and Service Area F5 (Avon waterfront) were historically contracted for service. Service Area F5 officially became part of Contra Costa Fire on October 1, 1970.

• Briones Fire District: Merged on November 1, 1971. Station 19 was included in the annexation; the district previously had a part-paid fire chief.

Riverview Fire District

On July 1, 1975, the Riverview Fire Protection District was formed by combining the Antioch and Pittsburg Fire Departments, the West Pittsburg portion of Contra Costa Fire, and Island Fire District’s Service Areas F3 and F4. 

Later, on November 1, 1977, the Port Chicago industrial area (Allied Chemical area) was added. The Riverview Fire District was dissolved on July 1, 1994, and fully incorporated into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

Further Consolidation

• San Pablo Fire District was annexed to the El Sobrante Fire District on June 30, 1975.

• On July 1, 1994, the West County Fire District was dissolved and joined Contra Costa Fire.

• Also on July 1, 1994, the Oakley Fire District was absorbed by Contra Costa Fire. It was later re-formed as a County-dependent district effective January 1, 1999.

• On the same day, July 1, 1994, the Pinole Fire District (not including the City of Pinole Fire Department) was dissolved and became part of Contra Costa Fire.

Modern Expansion

The most recent and significant expansion occurred on July 1, 2022, with the annexation of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District into Contra Costa Fire. This landmark consolidation united urban and rural fire service areas, bringing enhanced emergency response capabilities across the county. The merger resulted in improved response times, expanded emergency medical services, deployment of new fire stations and staffing, particularly in East County and stronger resource coordination across a broader region. 

• Today, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District proudly serves over 750,000 residents across multiple cities and unincorporated areas, offering professional, high-quality fire protection, emergency medical response, rescue, and disaster preparedness. Our continuing evolution is rooted in a long-standing commitment to public safety, community service, and operational excellence.

https://www.cccfpd.org/about-eccfpd/ 

East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District History

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD) was officially formed in November 2002, following the consolidation of three fire agencies: the Bethel Island Fire Protection District, the East Diablo Fire Protection District, and the Oakley Fire Protection District. This unification was driven by a shared commitment to improving fire and emergency services across the growing communities of Eastern Contra Costa County.

The new district brought together decades of local fire protection heritage—spanning rural volunteer departments to evolving suburban agencies—with the goal of providing more consistent and professional emergency services to Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen, Bethel Island, and surrounding unincorporated areas.

Oakley Fire Protection District (1924–2002)

Established after a devastating fire in 1924 destroyed a hotel and multiple businesses, the Oakley Fire Protection District was built through the determination of local business owners and residents. Starting with basic firefighting tools, hand-pulled extinguishers, and wagons, the district evolved over decades into a robust volunteer agency.

Key Milestones:

• Formation of a Knightsen substation in 1952.

• Construction of a modern firehouse in 1957, later expanded in 1964.

• Implementation of the district’s first formal volunteer fire department under Chief Carl Gott in the 1950s.

• Successful improvement in ISO ratings under Chief Joe Tovar in the 1970s, enhancing fire insurance ratings for residents.

• Acquisition of modern firefighting equipment through state augmentation funds in the 1980s and 1990s.

• Introduction of auto-extrication tools such as the “Jaws of Life.”

In 1994, the Oakley Fire Protection District was absorbed into the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District. However, its legacy and infrastructure later became part of the ECCFPD in 2002.

Bethel Island Fire Protection District (1947–2002)

Serving the unique island community of Bethel Island, this district was founded in 1947 and operated a single fire station, constructed in 1951. Staffed primarily by volunteers, the department was known for its close-knit team and innovative programs. Notably, Fire Chief Dave Wahl introduced a firefighter-paramedic program in the 1990s. The district joined the ECCFPD in 2002.

Brentwood Fire Protection District (1928–1984)

The Brentwood Fire Protection District began serving the growing agricultural town of Brentwood in 1928. In 1984, it was consolidated into the East Diablo Fire Protection District. The original downtown fire station, known as Station 91, became Station 54 following the merger.

Byron Fire Protection District (1929–1991)

Formed in 1929, the Byron Fire District served the rural communities of Byron and, later, Discovery Bay. The district operated two stations and had a uniquely community-based dispatch system, where calls were answered at the firehouse, a hardware store, or even a local tavern. It was merged into the East Diablo Fire Protection District in 1991.

Eastern Fire Protection District (Pre-1950–1984)

A sprawling rural district, the Eastern Fire Protection District once served vast parts of southern Contra Costa County. It operated multiple fire barns and equipment sheds, many located on private property. The district was reorganized in 1963, splitting into multiple service areas (F1–F5), which eventually became independent districts like Moraga and San Ramon. The Marsh Creek area remained under Eastern until it was integrated into East Diablo Fire Protection District in 1984.

East Diablo Fire Protection District (1984–2002)

The East Diablo Fire Protection District emerged from the consolidation of the Eastern and Brentwood Fire Protection Districts in 1984. The Byron Fire District joined in 1991. With several fire stations, the district served Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, and surrounding rural areas.

In 2002, East Diablo Fire Protection District became the primary operational and administrative foundation of the newly created East Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

ECCFPD Fire Station History and Milestones

Following its formation in 2002, ECCFPD operated multiple fire stations across the region. These facilities—some dating back to the mid-20th century—reflected the district’s evolution, growth, and occasional operational challenges:

Active and Historic Stations

• Station 16 (Marsh Creek, Clayton): Operated under contract with Cal Fire.

• Station 52 (Brentwood): Built in 2001, remains operational.

• Station 53 (Oakley): Opened in 2011 as a modern replacement for historic Station 93.

• Station 54 (Brentwood): Originally built in 1957, experienced multiple closures and reopenings.

• Station 57 (Byron): Built in 1964; closed in 2010.

• Station 58 (Discovery Bay): Opened in 1980; closed in 2010.

• Station 59 (Discovery Bay): Constructed in 2002.

• Station 94 (Knightsen): Built in 1964; experienced several closure cycles due to staffing and infrastructure issues.

• Station 95 (Bethel Island): Built in 1951; closed in 2012.

Staffing and Operational Changes

ECCFPD has undergone multiple operational adjustments due to funding, staffing, and grant cycles.

• 2002–2010: Operated as a combination department with up to eight partially staffed stations.

• 2010: Stations 57 and 58 were closed.

• 2012: Significant budget challenges resulted in the closure of Stations 54, 94, and 95.

• 2012–2015: SAFER federal grant funding allowed the district to temporarily reopen Stations 94 and 54.

• 2015–2017: Continued adjustments to staffing levels and station availability.

• Post-2017: Focus on sustainable staffing, consolidation of resources, and long-term planning.

A Legacy of Service

The East Contra Costa Fire Protection District is built on the legacy of community-driven fire protection that dates back over a century. From volunteer firefighters riding in hand-pulled carts to today’s modern, professionally staffed engine companies, the mission remains the same: to protect life, property, and environment with courage, compassion, and commitment.

The ECCFPD continues to honor the dedication of its predecessor agencies and is proud to serve the residents of East Contra Costa County with professionalism and pride.

The most recent and significant expansion occurred on July 1, 2022, with the annexation of the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District into Contra Costa Fire. This landmark consolidation united urban and rural fire service areas, bringing enhanced emergency response capabilities across the county. The merger resulted in improved response times, expanded emergency medical services, deployment of new fire stations and staffing, particularly in East County and stronger resource coordination across a broader region.