The Operations Bureau is lead by Deputy Chief Mike Wedell, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Ontario Fire Department including the Ontario International Airport fire station and Fire Dispatch Center. Special teams such as the Bomb Squad, Urban Search and Rescue, and HazMat, are also under the Operations Bureau. Working in collaboration with our other bureaus the Ontario Fire Department, as an all-risk agency, is able to equip our 11 fire stations with highly-trained personnel who provide fire suppression, advanced life support emergency medical services and whatever else may come before us to the citizens of Ontario.
The Ontario Fire Department Bomb Squad responds to all incidents involving explosive materials, incendiary devices, improvised explosive devices, military or commercially manufactured ordinance, accidental explosions, bombings, and related matters.
The Bomb Squad's area of responsibility includes the cities of Ontario, Montclair, Upland, Chino, and Rancho Cucamonga.
The purpose of the Ontario Fire HazMat Team is to protect lives, property and the environment from the dangers and hazards of a chemical spill or a toxic release. Through mitigation and prevention of potentially catastrophic incidents, the Ontario Fire HazMat Team reduces the impact on the public and the environment.
Currently, the Ontario Fire HazMat Team is comprised of 24 members trained to the level of Specialist and five members trained to the level of Technicians. Each member attends monthly training to stay current with industry trends and to stay abreast of the dynamic challenges that these uncertain times present. Through dedication and commitment, the Ontario Fire HazMat Team continues to strive to provide the best service possible to the citizens and visitors of Ontario.
In 1985, the Ontario Fire and Police Departments became one of the first agencies in the State of California to utilize paramedics in a tactical role. In response to the needs of the Ontario Police Tactical Team, police and fire personnel were faced with the physical constraints of providing emergency medical care to injured citizens and police officers in a hostile environment.
Paramedics from the Fire Department were commissioned to Reserve Police Officer status and trained to the level of a S.W.A.T. Team Operator. To date, there have been several high-risk incidents where the skills of the S.W.A.T. Paramedic have been placed into action. The S.W.A.T. Team Paramedic is dispatched with the S.W.A.T. Team on all assignments and participates in all S.W.A.T. training.
The Ontario Fire Department Urban Search and Technical Rescue Team was developed in March of 1989, in order to provide specialized rescue techniques beyond the realm of standard Firefighter training. The USAR Team has the training, resources, and capabilities to perform: high angle rescues, low angle rescues, train crash rescues, confined space rescues, and heavy equipment extrication.
All 24 team members and unit R-138 are California O.E.S. (Office of Emergency Services) Type-1 Heavy Certified and can respond anywhere in the state of California upon request.
Station 10 is located at the Ontario International Airport (OIAA). Ontario Fire Department provides FAA part 139 Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services with a daily staffing of 8 firefighters. ARFF is a specialized category of firefighting that involves emergency response, hazard mitigation, evacuation, rescue, and emergency medical treatment of passengers and crew involved in airport ground emergencies. Airport firefighters utilize specialized ARFF training and equipment to address the specific challenges an aviation environment can present.
OIAA has over 70 daily departures, serves close to 6 million passengers annually and was recently named "Fastest Growing Airport" by Global Traveler. OIAA is home to many cargo and logistics carriers including UPS, FedEx, and Amazon. In 2023, over 900,000 tons of cargo was processed through the airport making OIAA one of the busiest cargo airports in the country. The Ontario Fire Department is committed to the OIAA mission statement of connecting people, places and opportunities to build a better world while providing professional fire protection to the traveling public.
Our Fire Dispatch Center, under the direction of the Fire Communications Manager, is staffed by 5 Fire Dispatch Supervisors, 9 Senior Fire Dispatchers, and 6 Part-time Fire Dispatchers. This division is tasked with answering emergency and non-emergency calls for service for the fire department including medical emergencies, fires, traffic collisions, and hazardous material emergencies. Collectively, our Fire Dispatchers have over 190 years of fire dispatching experience!
Our Fire Dispatch Center has received accreditation as an Emergency Medical Dispatch Center by the International Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch, an honor given to less than 3% of fire dispatch centers nationwide.