In addition, the department provides varied emergency services in 36 of the state's 58 counties via contracts with local governments.
The department's current director is Joe Tyler, who was appointed March 4, 2022, by Governor of California Gavin Newsom.
[4] CAL FIRE's foremost operational role is to fight and prevent wildfire on 31 million acres of state forestland.
The organization works in both suppression and prevention capacities on state land, and offers emergency services of various kinds in 36 out of California's 58 counties, through contracts with local governments.
The organization also assists in response to a wide range of disasters and incidents, including earthquakes, water rescues, and hazardous material spills.
As part of this mission, OSFM establishes a fire-safe environment for the people of California, which serves as a foundation for local agencies to build on as they strive to meet their specific goals.
For example, Lassen-Modoc-Plumas Operational Unit encompasses three rural counties and consists of eight fire stations, one Helitack Base, three conservation camps and an inmate firefighter training center.
An interagency center contributes to economies of scale, supports cooperation, and lends itself to a more seamless operation.
The area includes forested mountains, the Colorado River basin, the Mojave Desert and Interstate 10.
[16][17][18] Lawmakers in Sacramento have mandated that every operational unit develop and implement an annual fire management plan.
[21] For the wildland portion, most engines are manufactured with West-Mark or Westates (now American Truck & Fire Apparatus) bodies on an International chassis.
CAL FIRE has also now begun operating new Sikorsky S-70i Firehawk helicopters for aerial firefighting support including water drops and is planning to acquire up to 12 of these rotorcraft to replace the aging Bell UH-1H Super Huey fleet.
[23] From the 13 air attack and ten 10 helitack bases located statewide, aircraft can reach most fires within 20 minutes.
[25] Helicopters (also known as rotorcraft or rotary wing aircraft) are used to transport firefighting "Helitack Crews" into fire areas.
Altaris Computer-Assisted Dispatch (CAD), made by Northrop Grumman, is employed by each unit's Emergency Command Center (ECC) to track available resources and assignments.