Fire Safety | smbmi
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Committed to keeping our Tribe
and California safe

A legacy of protecting the land and our neighbors

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The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Fire Department (SMFD) was established in 2003 to fight the threat of wildfires on our Reservation in San Bernardino National Forest. Today, SMFD ranks among the top fire departments in the country, serving as stewards and protectors of our ancestral lands, Tribal Citizens and neighboring communities.

Fire Truck near fire station

The only tribal fire department with Class 1 ISO Rating

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Since 2020, SMFD has operated in the highest tier for training, equipment readiness, fire prevention and emergency response. A class 1 (ISO) community hazard mitigation rating places the department in the top 1% of fire departments nationwide.

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Class 1

Leadership

Keith Alexander

Keith Alexander

Fire Chief

Chris Nelson

Chris Nelson

Deputy Fire Chief

Ralph Tovar

Ralph Tovar

Assistant Fire Chief

Rich Zinchuk

Richard Zinchuk

Battalion Chief

Ken Bryson

Kenny Bryson

Battalion Chief

Dino Beltz

Dino Beltz

Battalion Chief

Ann Martgan

Ann Martgan

EMS Operations Manager

Ernie Paez

Ernie Paez

Fire Marshal

Fire Woman

San Manuel Fire Department at a glance

61

Full-time employees

20,000 +

Off-reservation emergency responses

state of the art fire stations

State-of-the-art Fire Stations

In the news

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San Manuel Fire Dept. hires more firefighters as it sees calls double this year

Keith Alexander has been appointed Chief for the San Manuel Fire Department. Alexander’s 21 years of service to San Manuel began in 2001 when he joined the tribe’s newly developed Emergency Services team. 

Megan Telles was live in Highland with the San Manuel Fire Department for a behind-the-scenes look at how they fight wildfires.

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