-Editorial
The Imperial County Fire Department (ICFD), in collaboration with the El Centro Fire Department (ECFD), the City of Imperial, and American Medical Response (AMR), has established an Automatic Aid Pilot Program aimed at enhancing fire protection and emergency response capabilities.
The agreement, approved by the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on February 18, 2025, will remain in effect for one year, with automatic annual renewals. The City of Imperial and the City of El Centro approved the agreement at their respective meetings on November 20 and December 17, 2024. Officials say the initiative reflects a regional commitment to improving interagency coordination, reducing response times, and strengthening public safety.
The program is designed to enhance fire response coverage, particularly for structure fires, by ensuring that emergency personnel and equipment are dispatched across jurisdictional lines when needed. It also incorporates AMR’s role in providing medical support during emergency incidents, improving firefighter safety and patient care.
“This agreement represents over a year’s worth of work and a major step forward in strengthening fire and emergency services in Imperial Valley,” said Imperial County Fire Chief David Lantzer. “By combining resources, personnel, and expertise, we can provide faster and more effective responses to protect lives and property in our communities.”
The Automatic Aid Agreement aims to improve fire response by coordinating the deployment of personnel and equipment across jurisdictions to ensure efficient emergency operations. As part of the program, AMR will enhance emergency medical services by supporting firefighter rehabilitation, providing civilian medical treatment, and assisting with patient transport. The initial focus areas for the agreement include El Centro, Imperial, Heber, and Seeley, with the potential for expansion based on program evaluations. Additionally, the agreement establishes a minimum effective response force of 16 to 17 personnel for structure fires, ensuring adequate resources are available during critical incidents. The City of Imperial will contribute city-owned fire apparatus while also benefiting from automatic aid when needed. Officials emphasize that this collaborative approach strengthens emergency management strategies and enhances public safety for residents.
The implementation of the Automatic Aid Pilot Program began with initial discussions in March 2024, followed by a review and approval process by governing bodies between November and December 2024. In February 2025, participating fire departments will undergo training and policy alignment to ensure seamless coordination. The program will officially launch between March and June 2025, during which data on response times, resource deployment, and incident outcomes will be collected to assess its effectiveness.
From July to October 2025, officials will evaluate the program’s performance, considering potential expansions to other incident types based on operational needs. A comprehensive review will take place between November and December 2025, leading to recommendations for either continuation or modifications. By January 2026, the program will either be automatically renewed or adjusted based on the findings of the evaluation.
While the program incurs costs, officials emphasize that the mutual benefits outweigh expenses when participating agencies both provide and receive aid as needed. The agreement, unanimously approved by all governing bodies involved, is expected to enhance regional emergency preparedness and strengthen public safety. Local leaders see the program as a model that could be adopted by other Imperial Valley fire departments to further improve emergency response efforts.
