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Annual Report Showcases Department

Murrieta Fire & Rescue (MFR) is proud to announce the release of its 2023 Annual Report, detailing the department's accomplishments, achievements, and key statistics from the past year. The report highlights MFR's dedication to continuous quality improvement while serving the community. It showcases efficient response times and the department's successful re-accreditation by the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), a testament to its commitment to excellence as a progressive and professional fire department.

The full report delves into the department's activities, including fire, emergency medical service (EMS) calls, technical rescue, hazardous materials, community outreach programs, and community risk reduction.

2023 Annual Report

Spring Forward: Check Your Smoke and CO Detectors

Changing your clock means changing your smoke and CO detector batteries. As we spring forward take a moment and check your detectors. Did you know smoke detectors have a 10-year life span from their birthdate, and typical battery-operated CO detectors have a seven-year life span and should be replaced before they fail to function as designed? Their birthdate (Date of Manufacture - DOM) can be found on the back of the detector most of the time. If you can’t find a date, they are likely outdated and should be replaced. Please don’t wait for daylight saving time to ensure your devices are working properly. Take a proactive approach for the safety of yourself and your family before it’s too late. If you need assistance, please call us, and we can talk you through how to check it or ask a younger family member to climb up the ladder. Remember, we need you to help us, help you. Early detection of fires is critical in making sure everyone gets out safely.

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Community Risk Reduced by FFs

In a heartwarming act of kindness and community service, the crew at Station 3 went above and beyond the call of duty. They were recently dispatched for a lift assist, and when they arrived, they found a resident who was left stranded at his front door by a ride service that was unwilling to help him get inside. Not only did the crew get him inside, but the next day they returned to install a ramp they built just for him. Great work, Capt. Eric Ballard, Eng. James Schaaf, and Firefighter/Paramedic Jose Luna!

February 2024 Calls

At Murrieta Fire & Rescue, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our community. In the spirit of transparency and ongoing communication, we're sharing some key statistics from February 2024:

• Total Calls: 944
• Fire Incidents: 8
• Medical Emergencies: 635
• False Alarms: 37

Full Monthly Report

Marine Corps Vet Delivers Comfort

Murrieta resident and member of Southwest Riverside County Marine Corps League 1057, Rita Nastri has once again demonstrated her support of Murrieta Fire & Rescue. Just last month, Rita donated a collection of new stuffed animals, including two lovingly handmade ones. We are grateful for her thoughtful contribution, which will be distributed among our five fire stations.

Our Doors Are Open

We are excited to welcome our residents back into our administrative office at 41825 Juniper Street! To ensure the safety of our employees, we've installed protective safety glass in our lobby area, but our doors are once again unlocked during our regular business hours, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. So, don't press that intercom button, just grab the handle, open the door, and come on in! We look forward to serving you.

Ready to make a difference in your community? Become a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member! Read More

Creating Future Leaders

In February, the department held a Captain's Academy to prepare our firefighters for the role of a fire captain. This academy typically covers a wide range of topics, including leadership skills, personnel management, incident command, fire behavior, advanced firefighting techniques, and administrative responsibilities. Firefighters participate in the training to develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively lead a team of firefighters and manage emergency situations. Upon completion of the academy, firefighters will be one step closer to meeting the minimum qualifications for the Captain's promotional exam.

Crews Hone Airway Skills

Crews engage in airway skills practice, including inserting airway adjuncts, applying oxygen, and performing intubation. Maintaining a patient's airway and supplying oxygen is one of the first priorities in providing patient care. The Riverside County EMS Agency requires all paramedics and EMTs certified in the county to perform specific skills annually.

Lithium-Ion Battery Hazards

Crews attended a four-hour lithium-ion lecture given by Paul Shoemaker from Next Level Extrication. Participants included Murrieta Fire, Murrieta Police, Pechanga Fire, and CAL FIRE. This lecture was to give first responders an awareness level of training for the dangers of lithium-ion batteries in various electronic devices such as computers, scooters, eBikes, vehicles, buses, and charging stations at home.

Improving Arson Testimony

Acting Fire Captain and Fire Investigator Mike Macalinao recently attended the International Association of Arson Investigators Expert Witness Testimony Class, sponsored by the California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI). This specialized training is beneficial for fire investigators to improve their testimony skills as subject matter experts, and enhance their credibility and effectiveness in legal proceedings for future arson cases. The training equips them with the knowledge and techniques necessary to present their fire investigation findings clearly and persuasively in court.

High-Rise Drill at Pechanga

A high-rise drill conducted at Pechanga last month highlights our department's commitment to emergency preparedness and safety. This exercise brought together emergency responders from different jurisdictions to simulate and assess response procedures in the event of a high-rise emergency. Murrieta Fire crews participate in this type of drill to ensure they are well-prepared to handle any challenges that might occur in a tall structure, safeguarding the lives and well-being of our residents and visitors. Such proactive measures underscore our city's dedication to fostering a resilient and secure community environment.

Cal-JAC Funds Deliver FF Gear

Last month, a large shipment of training equipment, purchased with Cal-JAC (California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee) funds, was received. The lucky firefighter tasked with unpacking and organizing the items was Fire Engineer Ryan Roufs.

Cal-JAC is a state program sponsored by the California Professional Firefighters Association and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The funds, which were requested by our Training Division, can only be used for the purchase of training equipment or training classes. The amount of funds received is dependent on the amount of training hours logged by the department throughout the year. Among the tools delivered were a rotary saw for forcible entry, a blitz fire nozzle for tackling large fires with ample water flow, airbags and controllers for heavy lifting, flashlights, saw blades, and vehicle stabilization equipment. The newly acquired equipment will enhance the inventory of training equipment currently used to train our firefighters.

Fire Inspector Michael Roppo

We're proud to welcome Michael Roppo as our newest fire inspector, bringing with him over 3.5 years of experience from the Escondido Fire Department, where he led the vegetation management program and served as liaison for the Fire Safe Council of Southwest Escondido. Mike lives in Menifee with his wife, daughter, and son. As a family, they typically spend many weekends at the softball and baseball fields and enjoy the outdoors, including time with family and friends. Mike said, “I am excited to be a part of Murrieta Fire & Rescue as a Fire Inspector and look forward to serving the community.”

Development Services Technician

Leticia McKnight

Meet Tisha, a proud mother of five and a longtime resident of Temecula for 26 years. She enjoys spending her free time with family, working out at the gym, or snuggling in a blanket watching Netflix. She recently received her associate degree in science and is passionate about continual growth and learning. During her time working for Riverside County Fire, she developed an interest in the fire service. Tisha is eager to contribute her skills and dedication to Murrieta Fire & Rescue, where her goal is to become a valuable asset to the organization and contribute to its continued success.