Temecula Firefighters Responded To 15,000 Calls In 2021: Report

TEMECULA, CA — Temecula's firefighters were busy in 2021, with more than 15,000 calls for service, including 9,760 within city limits, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department's John Crater, who serves as Temecula Division Chief.

Crater was on hand for Tuesday night's Temecula City Council meeting to provide the update on annual figures.

"We've been busy," the chief said.

In 2021, most of the 9,760 calls within Temecula city limits were medical in nature. Crater's teams responded to 7,217 such emergencies during the year. Another 819 calls were for traffic collisions, the chief said.

Due to fast response times, training and advanced equipment, Crater said the "save rate" of patients is "well above anyone else in the county."

Here is the rundown on calls for service inside Temecula city limits during 2021, according to Crater:

In addition to calls for service, the Temecula Division is responsible for inspections and plan reviews within the city and nearby unincorporated areas. Despite the pandemic, more than 15,000 reviews and inspections were conducted, according to Crater.

The city contracts for fire services with Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department. According to the city's 2021-22 operating budget, the total fire contract for the city is $16.9 million but that figure is offset by a structural fire tax credit of $7.7 million, bringing the city's cost down to $9,413,520.

Crater oversees five fire stations within city limits and three other stations in nearby unincorporated areas that fall within the Temecula Division boundaries. Wine Country, Aguanga, De Luz, La Cresta and several other neighboring communities are within the jurisdiction.

The Temecula Fire Department is comprised of Crater, two battalion chiefs and 60 firefighting personnel that serve the five fire stations inside Temecula city limits. The department is the second-largest in the county, Crater said.

In 2016, Temecula voters narrowly approved Measure S, which imposed a sales tax of 1 percent to fund general city services. Crater thanked residents and said the tax continues to pay for enhanced fire services citywide.