Milestone Years
1960 – On July 11, 1960, El Dorado County approved the formation of the El Dorado Hills County Water District.
1963 – In June 1963, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to add fire protection to the services it provides. The first station, Station 85, was constructed with the help of volunteer firefighters. This station was utilized as a fire department, community building, Community Services District office, and County Water District administrative office.
1973 – The citizens of El Dorado Hills voted to have the water and sewer systems operated by El Dorado Irrigation District, thereby leaving only fire protection under the direction of the El Dorado Hills County Water District Board.
1982 – The second station, Station 84, was constructed and staffed solely with volunteer personnel for nine years.
1990 – Station 85 was remodeled and expanded. The project included remodeling the existing station and adding 3,800 square feet.
1991 – Station 84 was staffed with paid personnel and volunteer personnel.
1993 – A major remodel of Station 84 was completed, adding a storage area, dormitory, and restroom facilities to accommodate the paid staff assigned there. In addition, the outside of the station was remodeled, adding a hose tower and an above-ground fuel tank.
1995 – The Fire Department hired three paramedics and operated a paramedic engine out of Station 84. Since that time, all stations have operated with Advanced Life Support. Several volunteer personnel have also completed paramedic accreditation in El Dorado County.
1996 – In order to meet the increasing demands of the wildland urban interface, the District purchased two new engines designed for wildland interface fires and one new engine for fighting structure type fires.
1999 – The District purchased a ten-acre parcel in the Bass Lake area to build a new fire station.
2001 – In February, the District purchased new Quint apparatus with a 105-foot aerial ladder as well as a new fire engine. The District also added twelve new paid positions and seven new volunteer positions, bringing the total headcount to 47 paid personnel and 45 volunteers.
2001 - The District began staffing a full-time paramedic ambulance funded through a contract with the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority (JPA).
2001 – In March, the District’s third station, Station 86, was placed in service and staffed with three personnel. The station was equipped with an advanced life support engine. The District also purchased a new wildland urban interface engine.
2002 – A new Air/Light Support Unit was placed in service and provided the District with the capability of filling air bottles on scene as well as providing additional rescue and lighting support.
2003 – The District completed the purchase of land at Wilson Boulevard and El Dorado Hills Boulevard and began construction of a new Fire Station/Administrative Office to replace the forty-year-old Station 85 at Lassen Lane. The District also reorganized its Administrative Staff by adding two Battalion Chief positions.
2004 – The El Dorado Hills Fire Department established an Honor Guard comprised of dedicated professionals that take great pride in representing the El Dorado Hills Fire Department to the highest standards. Membership includes Chief Officers, Captains, Engineers, and Firefighters. The Honor Guard members perform their duties on a voluntary, non-compensated basis honoring those that have gone before as well as performing at many community events.
2005 – Construction of the District’s new Administrative Offices and Fire Station was completed in January 2005. This facility is 26,000 square feet and includes a large community meeting room. After vacating the Lassen Lane Station, the District successfully negotiated a five-year lease agreement with El Dorado County to convert the old station into a Senior Center which has since been sold to the County and named the Ramona “Moni” Gilmore Senior Center after a member who served on the Department’s Board of Directors.
2005 – The District purchased 21-acres on Cypress Point Court in the El Dorado Hills Business Park. This land is the future site of Station 87 and the planned Training Facility.
2007 – The District hired nine paramedics to staff Station 87 and transitioned the Administrative Battalion Chiefs to Shift Battalion Chiefs to help facilitate growth and personnel management.
2008 – Construction of the District’s fourth station, Station 87, was completed and new Type I and Type III engines were purchased.
2013 – The District entered into a Shared Services Agreement with Rescue Fire Protection District.
2014 – The District annexed Latrobe Fire District and increased staffing to support the addition. The District’s fifth station, Station 91, was added as a part of the annexation.
2016 – The District implemented a Water Rescue program.
2020 – The District opened an Employee Development Center to provide employee-focused development and training.
2020 – A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was established.
2021 – The District deployed CPR compression devices to every front-line apparatus.
2022 – The Shared Services Agreement with Rescue Fire Protection District was terminated.
2022 – The District increased staffing at Station 91 to three firefighters daily.
2022 – The Board of Directors voted to award the contract to build the El Dorado Hills Fire Department Training Center. Construction began in April 2022.
2023 – Construction of Phase 1 of the Training Facility was completed in July 2023 and use of the facility immediately followed.
2023 – The District contracted with the El Dorado County Emergency Services Authority (JPA) to operate an additional ambulance unit out of Station 86. A single-role Paramedic position was created to staff this medic unit.