Very few organizations in the world can boast the public-safety expertise of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Services Association (FMESA). Its members have been on the ground coordinating rescue efforts in New York City after 9/11, in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and in Oklahoma City after the bombings. In fact, FMESA-member California Office of Emergency Services rescue teams were one of the first go-to units the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) called after Katrina hit.
FMESA is made up of employees from CAL FIRE and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal-OES)
Cal-OES
FMESA-member Cal-OES professionals put together urban and water search and rescue teams, provide fire engines for local governments struggling to fund their own, and have a law enforcement branch with sworn peace officers. While they serve California, their experience is considered so valuable that other states have often called on them for support, and they now have a close working relationship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. When there is a statewide disaster, the FMESA members of Cal-OES are the coordinating body for the entire mutual-aid system and emergency operations centers up and down the state.
FMESA-members are committed to serving the citizens of California before, during, and after a disaster or emergency.
The primary responsibility for emergency management and response resides at the local government level. FMESA-members respond to and support local government through established procedures and protocols. Our members are committed to the task of effectively coordinating state agencies and resources in response to an emergency or disaster. This includes mobilizing support and rendering aid to other states when possible, upon the request of their governors or FEMA.
Cal-OES FMESA members are committed to serving as an advocate for local governments impacted by disasters to ensure that federal funding and support is provided in an efficient and timely manner during recovery operations.
State Fire Marshal
FMESA-member State Fire Marshal professionals also perform a wide variety of vital public-safety tasks. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is part of CAL FIRE. The two organizations merged in 1996 due to their similar and complementary missions.
In the years since the merger, the two organizations have joined forces to provide Californians with a wide variety of public-safety services, including fire protection, fire prevention, law enforcement, code enforcement, arson/bomb response, pipe line and product safety. State Fire Marshal employees process a wide range of professional skills and qualifications. They may be firefighters, law enforcement officers, pyrotechnic experts, arson investigators, and bomb experts. They may inspect a public building for adequate fire safety or supervise explosive devices on a Hollywood movie set. They may approve a public display of fireworks or teach firefighters the latest in techniques to keep them effective and safe.
No matter what their individual role within the department may be, the employees of the California State Fire Marshal are dedicated to the safety and well-being of the people of California.
CAL FIRE Communications Operators
CAL FIRE Communications Operators handle more than 300,000 incidents per year from the various Emergency Command Centers that are located throughout the state from the Oregon to Mexico borders. Floods, fires, medical, rescue, hazmat…you name it, and CAL FIRE Communications Operators are there to help with whatever is needed to mitigate the emergency at hand. From 911 calls to everyday public contacts, out at an incident base, or behind the scenes doing reports…. twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, CAL FIRE Communications Operators are on duty serving the State of California, keeping citizens and visitors informed and handling emergencies in the best way they are trained to.
State Firefighters & Firefighter/Security Officers
FMESA-member California firefighters and firefighter/security officer professionals work to protect visitors, staff, residents, patients and the public on state property such as Hearst Castle, CalVet-Yountville, Sonoma Developmental Center, Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero, Napa and Coalinga, and California Military Department (Camp Roberts). These public safety professionals also provide mutual aid when necessary to surrounding local agencies. Fire fighter security officers at Yountville also perform limited law-enforcement duties. These professionals are all first responders who are dispatched to emergencies which include fire, medical, and threats to public safety and are dedicated to the safety and well-being of the residents and visitors of California.
