Our Fire District

We are a full-service California Special District, which is an independent government agency with our own tax base administrative functions governed by a five-member Board of Directors.  We are headquartered in Menlo Park and located between the three metro cities of San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland.    

Exterior view of Menlo Park Fire District Station No. 1, with a red fire engine parked outside. The American and California flags are flying from a flagpole.

Our Philosophy 

We are committed to providing high quality service to our community and our community members. We believe that the success of our organization depends on teamwork, mutual trust and honesty achieved through commitment to the following values:

  • Communication with one another and with community members
  • Loyalty to our community, to this organization, and to each other
  • Innovation in meeting the present and future needs of the District
  • Responsibility as a team for the efficient and effective delivery of services
  • Pride in our work, in our dedication to public service, and in being the best we can be

What We Do 

Our 151 full-time equivalent employees are organized into four divisions: Operations, Support Services, Fire Prevention and Administration.  In addition, the District sponsors the California Task Force 3 (CA-TF3), Urban Search and Rescue (US&R).  

Operations – The Division provides a full range of emergency response services

Support Services – The Division includes training, management of emergency medical services and fleet

Fire Prevention – The Division provides fire plan checks, reviews, permitting, fire safety inspections and public educational outreach

Administration – The Division includes executive management function, budget and finance, human resources, information technology, and the clerk of the board


Firefighters in yellow turnout gear spray water onto a dark, smoldering ground, with more firefighters in the background.Firefighters participate in a live fire training exercise, with smoke billowing from a red container.Six firefighters in uniform standing in front of a large, white and green helicopter, with an American Flag visible on its tail. 

Who We Serve

For over a century, we have provided high quality and essential emergency services to residents in the communities of Atherton, Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and some of the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County.  The area covers approximately 30 square miles with an estimated population of 90,000. The District has seven stations that are strategically placed to provide the most efficient response times.

Map illustrating the colored district boundaries and locations of fire stations for the Menlo Park Fire Protection District.