Engines & Equipment

Type 1 Engines

A fire engine on a forest road with mountains in the background.

Montecito Fire Protection District has two front line Type 1 engines and two reserve Type 1 engines.

Type 1 fire engines are used primarily for structural firefighting and initial Emergency Medical Service (EMS) response. They are equipped with a variety of firefighting hose lines, nozzles and large diameter supply hose. Type 1 engines carry a wide assortment of tools and equipment including extension and roof ladders, a generator with cords and lights, a ventilation blower, cribbing supplies, Hurst extrication tool (Jaws of Life), a significant inventory of technical and rope rescue equipment, and Class A foam.

Our Type 1 engines are all equipped with All Wheel Steer. This allows us to maneuver in and around our district much quicker, easier and safer on narrow winding roads and driveways. With this option, both the front and rear wheels turn to help maneuver the engine safely and efficiently in tight areas.

Type 3 Engines

May contain: transportation, truck, and vehicle — Montecito Engine 391 assigned to a local vegetation fire

Montecito Fire Protection District has two front line Type 3 engines.

Type 3 fire engines are used for off-road wildland firefighting. They are equipped with a variety of firefighting hose lines, tools and supplies. Type 3 engines carry a wide assortment of equipment including Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), driptorches, backpack and portable pumps, and Class A foam.

Type 6 Engines

May contain: bumper, transportation, vehicle, and person — Montecito Engine 691 patrolling the South Coast

Montecito Fire Protection District has two Type 6 engines.

Our Type 6 engine is a small, agile engine for quick access - especially to brush and vegetation fires. Its chassis is built on an F450 pickup truck and holds approximately 250 gallons of water. When staffed, it is operated by two firefighters, including a qualified Engine Boss. The Type 6 engine allows for quick response and attack on small vegetation fires. It is equipped with hand tools and a chainsaw which can be used for fighting fire in brush. In addition to fighting wildfires, this versatile piece of equipment can respond effectively to a variety of emergency call types.

Paramedic Squad

Squad 91 responding to an emergency incident — Squad 91 responding to a residential structure fire.

Montecito Fire Protection District has one Paramedic Squad.

The Paramedic Squad is equipped with specialized equipment for medical emergencies requiring advanced care, various rescues and extrication needs. It is also equipped with a large complement of rope rescue equipment to access to injured and trapped patients, requiring personnel to repel over an embankment etc. to assist the individual(s).

Transport Ambulance

Medic 91 responding to an emergency incident — Medic 92 responding to a medical emergency.

Montecito Fire Protection District has one transport ambulance that serves as a reserve paramedic squad. Montecito Fire Protection District does not provide ambulance transport - but does provide transport in the event of a catastrophic event in which private ambulance services are overwhelmed. The District's transport ambulance can also be called upon for local mutual aid response when the private ambulance services are overwhelmed in other jurisdictions. The District's transport ambulance was added to our fleet in the mid-1990s along with the addition of advanced life support capability.

Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) - Medium

Firefighters in front of Urban Search & Rescue vehicle. — Montecito firefighters utilized USAR 91 during the 1/9 Debris Flow response.

Montecito Fire Protection District has one Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) - Medium Unit. The USAR Unit responds to structural collapses, entrapments, high angle, underground or other technical rescues. It carries a variety of tools and equipment along with shoring and cribbing materials (wood and other items used to reinforce walls or secure heavy objects in place) to perform rescues during major incidents. Beyond being a USAR rescue vehicle, the apparatus is also utilized as a light/air unit. A light and air unit provides additional electricity for lighting and power at emergency scenes. It also provides a breathing air supply to refill firefighting breathing bottles. USAR is considered a multi-hazard discipline, as it may be needed for various incidents including earthquakes, landslides, storms, tornadoes, floods, terrorist activities, and hazardous materials releases. The USAR unit is part of a master mutual aid system and can be requested to respond anywhere in the state for disasters.