Type 1 Engine Each of the 16 stations serviced by SBC FD are equipped with at least one Type 1 engine. The engines have the ability to pump 1,500
GPM and carry 500 gallons of water as well as 25 gallons of foam. For moving the water the engines carry over 2000 feet of hose in various diameters and over 100 feet of ladders. Each engine also has a set of the "
Jaws of Life" as well as various other power tools, rescue gear and hand tools for both urban and brush fires. They also have medical equipment on board for medical responses.
Trucks , Santa Barbara County has 3
aerial ladder trucks 1 front line located at Station 11 as well as an auxiliary ladder truck. The second truck is located at Station 30 in Solvang. The truck weighs and features a ladder and a pump that produces 1,250
GPM. The pump is connected to a nozzle at the top of the ladder allow water to be sprayed onto a fire from above. Besides being set up for fire fighting, the truck is also configured for technical, trench and confined space rescue responses and also has medical equipment for medical responses. Along with the standard ladders and hoses, the truck also carries
cutting torches,
chainsaws, ropes,
air bags and various other tools. The truck automatically responds to all technical rescues, vehicle accidents and structure fires in Battalion 1.
Helicopters The Santa Barbara County Air Support Unit (ASU) is made up of two
Bell UH-1H "Huey"s. The helicopters are jointly operated by the Fire Department and the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office. Located at the
Santa Ynez Airport adjacent to the Station 32, the ASU will often travel with a Rescue Paramedics from Station 32 when a medic is necessary. The helos are fitted for both hoisting of personnel for a rescue and for dropping of water during a fire. The underside can also be fitted with water dropping tanks that carry 320 gallons of water and have the ability to pump water from a reservoir or other water source or they can be filled on the ground with fire hose. In October 2020, Santa Barbara County announced that a 2004 Sikorsky HH-60L “Blackhawk” helicopter had been purchased and would go into service in 2021. The helicopter was purchased with County funds and Fundraising from Direct Relief International (DRI) that resulted in raising a total donation of $1,151,000. In March 2022, United rotorcraft delivered the finished, modified H-60 "FireHawk" to Santa Barbara County. The modifications include a belly mounted water tank of approx. 1000 gals, new avionics, communications gear, rescue hoist and configuration for aeromedical evacuations. The modifications are similar to those made to LA County, Ventura, San Diego and CalFire H-60s.
Water Tenders Santa Barbara County uses two different types of
water tenders, two tactical and two supply units. The tactical units feature 4x4 capabilities and carry 1,500 gallons of water. They are specifically designed to carry water inside of a vegetation fire incident. These tenders are located at Station 22 in
Orcutt and Station 32 in
Santa Ynez. The supply units can carry 3,200 gallons of water to easily accessible areas. These are located at Station 18 in
Gaviota and Station 41 in
Cuyama.
Rescue Ambulance The SBCFD has four
Rescue Ambulances (RA) deployed around the county. Santa Barbara County was at the forefront of the firefighter/paramedic introduction to the industry. Although the primary
Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider for the county is the private ambulance company
American Medical Response (AMR), there are areas in which the county provides both dedicated ALS coverage and patient transport to hospital facility. The vehicles are based on the
Ford modular-style ambulance outfitted with advanced life support capabilities. Cardiac Monitors and Defibrillators,Cardiac Drugs,Intubation and Airway Supplies and other equipment are carried on the Rescue Ambulances. There are a total of five RAs throughout the county, two are located at Station 17 servicing
UC Santa Barbara, two are at Station 41 in
New Cuyama and one is at Station 51 in
Vandenberg Village. In addition to medical emergencies, the RA will also respond with an initial assignment to any
structure fire or multi-engine calls. ==Stations and apparatus ==