Brea Fire Department

Brea Fire Department traces its roots to the city's 1917 incorporation, when it began as an all-volunteer operation with a single 1923 Seagrave engine nicknamed "Old Susie." The department grew through the 20th century, adding paid staff and radio communications under Chief A.G. Ellis in the late 1930s, approving paramedic services by voter measure in 1978, and building out to four fire stations by 1986. From 2011 to 2022 the department shared command staff with the City of Fullerton before transitioning in 2023 to a fully independent, Brea-only command structure with its own Deputy Chief, Battalion Chiefs, and EMS Manager.

Today the department protects a 12.43-square-mile jurisdiction of more than 47,000 residents (with a daytime population near 120,000) from four stations, operating a mix of engines, a tiller truck, Type III wildland units, and reserve apparatus. Personnel are cross-trained in hazardous materials first response, swift water rescue, and confined space rescue, and the department is in the process of standing up an in-house ambulance program so that ambulance operators and EMTs can be hired directly by the city, with a stated pathway to promotion into firefighter positions.

The Brea Fire Department hires through the City of Brea's governmentjobs.com portal; the city is also building an in-house ambulance program, noting that ambulance operators/EMTs have a strong possibility of promoting to Brea firefighter positions.