Fire Services

Orange County Fire Authority
We Are Your Fire Department

The city of San Juan Capistrano partners with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for its fire and emergency medical services. The OCFA provides comprehensive emergency services to the residents of San Juan Capistrano through a regional approach. Fire services in San Juan Capistrano are led by our local Fire Chief, Division Chief John Abel.

Three highly experienced Battalion Chiefs manage the day to day operations in the field. Working on a rotating schedule, Battalion Chiefs Bill Lockhart, Cliff Bramlette, and Mark "Pokey" Sanchez respond to emergencies in the city and provide support to education activities and community events.

OCFA is an "all risk" emergency response provider. While medical and fire emergencies are our primary response we also respond to a wide range of other emergency incidents including hazardous materials response, floods, water rescues, earthquakes, bomb threats, terrorism and more.

Occasionally, large scale natural or man-made disasters strike. For those incidents where the OCFA is taxed beyond the norm, a complex system of automatic and mutual aid resources are available from outside fire agencies.

Responding to emergencies is only part of what we do, we are proactive in preventing emergencies as well. Our Community Risk Reduction section works to assess fire and life safety risks and create education and prevention programs to reduce the chances of bad things happening. We want to ensure that all who work, live and play in our communities recognize and actively participate in their safety.

We want to remind everyone that the public can do more to prevent emergencies then we ever can. Please "watch the water", drowning happens silently and without warning. OCFA reminds you to never swim alone, ensure you have barriers around your pool and learn CPR. In addition, Southern California lives under the constant threat of wildland fires. If you live near a wildland urban interface area, please ensure you have a defensible space, are using non-combustible materials and have a plan should a fire occur.

Visit our website to view a variety of community safety presentations, a list of active incidents, find your local fire station, news release updates on major fire incidents and other OCFA activities and a variety of other fire information resources.