Cooperative Efforts
Bringing all California resources together under a unified command

These agreements allow CAL FIRE to be the lead agency in providing fire, rescue, dispatch, and paramedic services to cities and towns in California that are not designated as state responsibility. This unified command relationship ensures that all resources are utilized to the fullest potential during emergencies, leading to greater success in response efforts. The CAL FIRE Cooperative Fire Protection Program staff are dedicated to coordinating these agreements and contracts, ensuring that emergency response in California is carried out smoothly and effectively.
California’s rich history, innovative spirit, and incredibly diverse geography and demographics continue to attract visitors from all over the world. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), has built strong working relationships with international partners and organizations through collaborative agreements.
The Deputy Chief of State, Federal, and International Programs within CAL FIRE is the initial point of contact for all international affairs. This includes negotiating and developing memorandums of understanding and coordinating international visits. International agreements foster cooperation and a commitment to share best practices, lessons learned, training opportunities, and mutual exchange of technical knowledge and expertise.
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR REQUEST
To facilitate safe and secure visits, international visitors requesting to tour CAL FIRE, need to complete and submit the Foreign National Screening Form and the following documents to CAL FIRE, 15 days before an official visit:
- CalOES Foreign National Screening Form
- Valid passport (for each individual in attendance)
- Itinerary
Submit complete package to: InternationalVisitRequests@fire.ca.gov
Application Period: Open through May 5th, 2025
To apply for Volunteer Fire Capacity funding, please download the fillable application below and reference the Procedural Guide for help navigating the application submission process. Please note: The level of federal funding fluctuates on an annual basis and is subject to the availability of federal funds for the 2025 cycle.
Under what is known as the California Master Mutual Aid Agreement, CAL FIRE assists other fire departments within the State when local resources are depleted and Department resources are available, regardless of the type of disaster. In turn, CAL FIRE can access the local government fire departments through the same agreement for assistance in wildland fire suppression.
The Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) can also request CAL FIRE assistance with non-fire emergencies when the Governor has declared a State of Emergency. Such was the case during the Northridge earthquake of 1993, Napa earthquake of 2014, floods of 1997 and the Oroville Dam incident in 2017 when CAL FIRE provided flood-fighting crews and incident management and logistical support services.
When California is under siege with wildland fires across the state and resources are stretched thin, agreements with our local government cooperators through the California Fire Assistance Agreement (CFAA) and the California Military Department provide for California National Guard resources. The local government agencies provide personnel and equipment throughout the state and the National Guard provide Fire Crews, C-130 aircraft known as Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS), water dropping and medical rescue helicopters, support personnel, communications equipment, and other specialized resources.
Since the 1940s, local government entities such as cities, counties and districts have contracted with CAL FIRE to provide many forms of emergency services for their communities. CAL FIRE provides full-service fire protection to many of the citizens of California through the administration of 118 cooperative fire protection agreements in 31 of the State's 58 counties, 39 cities, 25 fire districts and 42 other special districts and service areas. As a full-service fire department CAL FIRE responds to wildland fires, structure fires, floods, hazardous material spills, swift water rescues, civil disturbances, earthquakes, and medical emergencies of all kinds. Local governments are able to utilize this diversity and experience through their contracts and agreements with the Department.
Counties
Alameda | Fresno | Merced | San Diego | Siskiyou |
Alpine | Humboldt | Monterey |
San Mateo | Sonoma |
Amador | Lassen | Napa |
Santa Clara | Tehama |
Butte | Madera | Nevada |
Santa Cruz | Trinity |
Calaveras | Mariposa | Placer |
San Luis Obispo | Tuolumne |
El Dorado | Mendocino | Riverside | Shasta |
Yuba |
Cities
The following Cities have Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements with CAL FIRE. Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements can be for a wide variety of services depending upon a local government entities needs. CAL FIRE provides service to all the cities listed below. Service provided to cities within Riverside County is provided through cooperative agreements with Riverside County Fire. CAL FIRE provides service to Riverside County Fire through a cooperative agreement.
Atwater | Dos Palos - MMU | Lake Elsinore - RRU | Palm Desert - RRU | Soledad |
Auburn | Eastvale - RRU | Livingston - MMU | Paradise | St. Helena |
Banning - RRU | Gridley |
Madera | Perris - RRU | Temecula - RRU |
Beaumont - RRU | Gustine - MMU |
Menifee - RRU | Pismo Beach | Ukiah |
Biggs | Highland |
Moreno Valley - RRU |
Rancho Mirage - RRU | Wildomar - RRU |
Calistoga | Indian Wells - RRU |
Morgan Hill |
Red Bluff | Willows |
Coachella - RRU | Indio - RRU | Norco - RRU |
Rubidoux - RRU | Yucaipa |
Desert Hot Springs - RRU | La Quinta - RRU |
Oroville |
San Jacinto - RRU |
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Italicized Cities - Fire protection provided through a cooperative pass-through agreement
Fire Protection Districts
The following Fire Protection Districts have Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements with CAL FIRE. Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements can be for a wide variety of services depending upon a local government entities needs.
Aromas Tri County | Deer Springs |
Kelseyville |
South Lake County |
Cachagua | Elk Creek |
Meeks Bay | South Monterey County |
Cloverdale | Fresno County | North Sonoma Coast | South Santa Clara County |
Coatside | Hamilton City | North Tahoe |
Truckee |
Contra Costa County | Higgins |
Olympic Valley |
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Cypress | Kanawha | Pajaro Valley |
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County Service Areas
The following County Service Areas (CSA) have Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements with CAL FIRE. Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements can be for a wide variety of services depending upon a local government entities needs.
Fresno/Shaver Lake #31 | |
Pajaro Dunes #1 | |
San Mateo #1 |
Community Service Districts
The following Community Service Districts have Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements with CAL FIRE. Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements can be for a wide variety of services depending upon a local government entities needs.
Cameron Park | Newberry Springs |
Dagget | North Bay Fire |
Groveland | Pebble Beach |
Loma Rica/Browns Valley | Yermo |
Morongo Valley |
Water Districts
The following Water Districts have Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements with CAL FIRE. Cooperative Fire Protection Agreements can be for a wide variety of services depending upon a local government entities needs.
Arrowbear County Water District | Metropolitan Water District |
Butte County-Enhanced Hazard Abatement | Nevada County Fire Planner |
Others
Firenet Lassen | Sierra-Sac Valley EMS |
Northstar | Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital |
Shasta-Tehama-Trinity Joint College District |
Wildland Fire Agreements
The following Cities have Wildland Fire Protection Agreements with CAL FIRE. These agreements augment existing city fire department resources specifically for wildland fire fighting services.
Anaheim | Lake Elsinore | Shasta Lake |
Beaumont | Lincoln |
Tiburon |
Calimesa | Loma Linda |
Truckee |
Chino Valley Independent | Murrieta |
Wildomar |
Colton | Rancho Cucamonga |
Yucaipa |
Highland | Redlands | |
Jurupa Valley |
Rocklin |