The City of Pacific Grove is located on the Central California Coast, on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula, between the City of Monterey and Pebble Beach, 121 miles south of San Francisco
and 334 miles north of Los Angeles.

Pacific Grove has a Council-Manager form of government. The seven-member City Council consists of a Mayor and six Council members. City facilities include a library, a natural history museum, a community center, a youth recreation center, a senior citizens' center, an 18-hole golf course, a cemetery, numerous parks which provide both active and passive recreation, a tot training pool, five miles of City-owned shoreline, a swimming beach and a fishing pier.

Pacific Grove was founded in 1875 as a Methodist Church
summer retreat. It was incorporated as a City on July 16, 1889, and became a chartered City on April 22, 1927. The Volunteer Department originated in 1885 just prior to the City's Incorporation.

In 1917, the Pacific Grove Volunteer Fire Department consisted
of nine members, each of whom paid dues of $1.20 per year for the privilege of belonging. They ruined their clothes, lost time
and sleep, and received no compensation whatsoever

Today's commitment to fire protection is obvious: Equipped with four engines, a truck company, and a paid department staff of
19, the Pacific Grove Fire Department is not only ready with the apparatus to do the job, but with personnel well trained in all aspects of fire suppression and emergency medical care. The Department prides itself on being a modern, progressive department. The Department utilizes some of the latest equipment; semi-automatic defibrillators, computer generated reporting system, and large diameter hose. The Department recently purchased a fully enclosed Class A pumper which serves as a mutual aid and wildland interface engine. It was further enhanced by the installation of a complete set of fire curtains to protect personnel from heat during a possible over-run situation at a wildland incident. The Department believes in progressive training and actively sends equipment and firefighters to live fire training wherever and whenever possible. The Department sent
a fully staffed engine and overhead personnel to the Monterey County Fire Training Officers Association's Wildland Training at Fort Hunter Liggett. Also, the Department has been fortunate to
be able to participate in live structure burns with the Naval Postgraduate School FD at Ft. Ord, all of which gain invaluable training for all present.

Today the Pacific Grove Fire Department responds to an average of 1300 calls a year. Approximately 56% of these calls are medical responses. The Department is made up of both paid and volunteer firefighters. There are 15 paid firefighters and 35 volunteer firefighters, 30 volunteer Ocean Rescue team members, a Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief and Division Chief/Fire Marshal, Administrative Secretary, Disaster Coordinator (PT), and a Fire Clerk (PT).

The Paid Department averages 14 years service and the average age is 37. Many paid members were Volunteers prior to being hired full time, which would increase the average years of service. A few members of the paid staff are also volunteers with the Ocean Rescue Team, as hyperbaric chamber technicians and rescue divers. The paid firefighters are also members of the Volunteer Department, allowing them to participate in all social aspects of the organization and the fundraising efforts. The paid firefighters act as teachers for both the volunteers and Explorer Scouts giving up many hours of their own time to pass on their experience and knowledge.

There are 35 Volunteer Firefighters most of whom are Firefighter 1 certified, all are certified as first responders on both medical and hazardous materials responses. There is an Assistant Chief, six (6) captains and thirty-two (28) firefighters. The Volunteers meet three times a month; twice for training and once for a business meeting. The Volunteers also spend many hours at the Fire Station working side by side with the paid staff. The Volunteer By-Laws have recently been revised in an effort to hire full time firefighters from the Volunteer Department. Living restrictions were eliminated and applicants are required to successfully pass
a physical agility test and oral interview. The hiring of volunteers is now a competitive process allowing for a promotional opportunity as a paid firefighter; if all qualifications are met.
The Volunteers continue to serve by recently donating time and manpower to purchase and install children's playground equipment at a local park. The playground and equipment is specifically designed to meet the ADA. The Volunteer Department raised the funds through community BBQ's and matching funds were obtained through a grant from the AT&T National Pro-Am Youth Fund.