Read more in Department Overview. You will learn to be prepared and to respond in an earthquake, wildfire, or other disaster in the comprehensive CERT Training Course (formerly known as the NEAT program). Prepare yourself with the skills to put out a fire, rescue a trapped victim, perform medical triage, and more. This course could save your life, and its free. read more

was a great success! Check back soon for photos from the El Cerrito/Kensington and Albany Fire Departments' annual Tri-City Safety Day at the El Cerrito Plaza.

To see photos from the 2008 Tri-City Safety Day, go to the Fire Department Photo Gallery

Free Smoke Detectors For Elderly, Disabled And Low-Income Residents With support from Home Depot, the City's Fire Department offers free smoke detectors to elderly, disabled, and low-income El Cerrito and Kensington residents.The department's goal is to have a working smoke detector in every home.
For more information call the Fire Department at 215-4450 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Memory of Dave Garrett
Fire Engineer David Garrett passed away in March of 2009. A twenty year veteran of the ECFD, Dave was known and loved by all for his good humor, fantastic cooking and larger than life presence.

The family has established the Tiaira Garrett Education Trust to support his daughter. To contribute to trust fund, please visit or send donations to:
Mechanics Bank
9996 San Pablo Avenue,
El Cerrito, CA 94530

The City of El Cerrito recently partnered with KCRT to produce "Loma Prieta Revisited". Karen Grassle (star of Little House on the Prairie) narrates the film and also conducted the interviews with local residents and members of ECFD who recount their Loma Prieta earthquake experience.

"Loma Prieta Revisited" can be seen on KCRT Channel 28
View the KCRT Schedule

"Loma Prieta Revisited" is also available to student groups, service organizations, clubs and neighborhoods interested in disaster preparedness. Contact CERT Program Coordinator Battalion Chief Dave Gibson at 510-215-4450 for more details.

Many properties in El Cerrito are in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone including those near large wildland areas containing steep slopes and naturally growing trees, brush and grasses. See the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map for El Cerrito. (PDF, 2432Kb)
Map provided by Cal-Fire.

Do you have a Defensible Space?
Maintaining a defensible space can dramatically increase the chance of your home surviving a wildfire. Download information about Defensible Space. This flyer from Cal-Fire tells you about the simple steps you should take to dramatically increase the chance of your home surviving a wildfire.

The El Cerrito/Kensington Fire Department offers CPR/Basic First Aid classes. Space is limited & registration is required. For dates and details, download the 2010 CPR schedule (PDF, 36Kb)

See more pictures of the El Cerrito Fire Department in action in our photo gallery.