Heartland Fire & Rescue

Heartland Fire & Rescue Please do NOT request emergency assistance on this page. Please call 9-1-1 for emergencies. Heartland Fire includes El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove.

We seek to provide safe communities through exceptional, professional service. On January 1, 2010, the Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa and Lemon Grove entered into a joint exercise of powers agreement for management and delivery of fire protection and emergency medical services. This management team is known as Heartland Fire & Rescue. The management team includes a fire chief, one deputy fire chief,

a fire marshal, three division chiefs, a deputy fire marshal, five battalion chiefs, three fire inspectors, an emergency management coordinator, and five administrative support staff. This unique cooperative fire services agreement provides cost containment opportunities, maintains local control, ensures a high level of fire and emergency medical services delivery, and maximizes resource utilization. This cooperative service manages eight fire stations, nine engine companies, two truck companies, three paramedic transport units, and one battalion chief. The joint powers agreement serves a population of 180,000 and responds to approximately 20,000 calls for service each year.

Nineteen years ago, Jake Kelsen joined our organization as a Firefighter-Paramedic. Today, he has earned the title of Ca...
05/23/2026

Nineteen years ago, Jake Kelsen joined our organization as a Firefighter-Paramedic. Today, he has earned the title of Captain.
Jake is widely known for his sense of humor, but it’s his calm demeanor and tactical decision-making that have earned him the respect and appreciation of crews throughout the Central Zone.

We’re excited to see Captain Kelsen lead, mentor, and help develop the future of Heartland Fire & Rescue.

Congratulations, Captain Kelsen!

Congratulations to newly promoted Battalion Chief Ryan Abell! While returning from deployment with a strike team, we sur...
05/23/2026

Congratulations to newly promoted Battalion Chief Ryan Abell! While returning from deployment with a strike team, we surprised him by swapping out his badge and bugles. He left as a Captain and came home as a Chief Officer.
Chief Abell has been a dedicated member of our organization and a valued contributor to the region as an RT-130 cadre member. His leadership, experience, and knowledge will help move our organization forward for years to come.
Congratulations, Chief Abell!

Today is a bittersweet day for Heartland Fire & Rescue as we celebrate Captain Tom Hamma and his next chapter. For 29 ye...
05/15/2026

Today is a bittersweet day for Heartland Fire & Rescue as we celebrate Captain Tom Hamma and his next chapter. For 29 years, Captain Hamma has proudly served our community with integrity, dedication, and passion. Throughout his career, he has been a trusted friend, mentor, and leader whose impact on our organization will be felt for generations to come.
We are deeply grateful for his service and countless contributions to the growth and betterment of Heartland Fire & Rescue.
Congratulations, Captain Hamma, on an incredible career, and best wishes on the next part of your journey!

At 9:15 this morning, crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue, San Miguel Fire & Rescue and Lakeside Fire Protection District...
05/13/2026

At 9:15 this morning, crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue, San Miguel Fire & Rescue and Lakeside Fire Protection District, along with units from El Cajon Police Department, responded to a single vehicle rollover incident in the 700 block of Broadway in El Cajon.

The only occupant of the vehicle was the driver who was trapped inside. Specialized extraction tools were used to remove the driver safely from the vehicle. The driver was treated by paramedics on scene and taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
San Miguel Fire DistrictEl Cajon Police Lakeside Fire Protection District

Bring the family and join the firefighters for a great breakfast!
05/13/2026

Bring the family and join the firefighters for a great breakfast!

Busy week at Heartland Fire & Rescue!First, Firefighter Paramedic Connor O’Neill graduated from the SWAT Academy. We are...
05/09/2026

Busy week at Heartland Fire & Rescue!
First, Firefighter Paramedic Connor O’Neill graduated from the SWAT Academy. We are tremendously proud of his hard work and for representing our organization at the regional academy.
Second, our crews in La Mesa quickly stopped a vegetation fire near I-8 and Baltimore. Their rapid response prevented road closures just as the afternoon commute was beginning, avoiding major impacts for many across the region.
Lastly, HFR participated in the 26th Annual San Diego County Interagency Wildland Preparedness Exercise, also known as the County Wildland Drill. This important training ensures agencies across our county — including fire, law enforcement, public utilities, and many others — are prepared to work together to manage and mitigate large-scale incidents.
During the exercise, our own Chief Bent Koch was recognized as one of the original cadre members for his years of dedication and support of the drill. His leadership and mentorship have positively impacted many far beyond our organization.
Congratulations, Chief Koch!

This afternoon, we responded with    to a structure fire that had spread from a dumpster fire. Three residents were disp...
04/21/2026

This afternoon, we responded with to a structure fire that had spread from a dumpster fire. Three residents were displaced, but a quick response helped keep the damage to a minimum.

Over the weekend, crews from Station 6 responded to a vehicle fire in a restaurant parking lot on W. Main in El Cajon.  ...
04/13/2026

Over the weekend, crews from Station 6 responded to a vehicle fire in a restaurant parking lot on W. Main in El Cajon. Although close to a building, they were able to quickly contain the fire without additional damage to the nearby structure. No injuries were reported.

We are actively recruiting Lateral and Entry-Level Paramedic Firefighters!The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Gro...
04/13/2026

We are actively recruiting Lateral and Entry-Level Paramedic Firefighters!

The Cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove operate under a cost-sharing partnership known as Heartland Fire & Rescue. Together, these communities serve a regional population of nearly 200,000 and respond to approximately 34,000 calls for service annually across eight fire stations.

All 10 engine companies provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) services in coordination with a contracted ambulance provider. Our system also includes three deployable OES engines, two ladder/truck companies, one squad, and one Type II Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) team.

If you’re looking to serve a progressive, high-performing organization committed to professional excellence and strong regional collaboration, we encourage you to apply. The recruitment closes May 17.

For more information, visit: https://heartlandfire.org/155/Jobs

Address

8054 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA
91942

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Heartland Fire & Rescue posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Share

Category