The reserve program for the Los Alamitos Fire Department was formed in July of 1995 in part to establish a volunteer work program for individuals interested in a career with the fire service.  This program takes skills learned in the fire academies and strengthens them as well as exposes them to radio communications skills, fire department operations, and response to structural, aircraft rescue, and emergency medical incidents.

The primary responsibility of the Los Alamitos JFTB Fire Department is to provide fire protection and rescue services to the active airfield.  Secondary it is to provide emergency medical services and fire protection to the remainder of the base and the surrounding community.

This department is operated from a single station, staffing Aircraft Rescue fire fighting and Structural fire fighting equipment with 17 full-time firefighters and an average of 30 reserve firefighters.  The department is under the direct supervision of the Fire Chief Jeff Phelps.  The career personnel are divided into three shifts, A, B, and C shifts.  The career personnel’s schedule is on-duty 48 hours and off duty for 96 hours.

The Reserve Program is a great way to advance your skills from the academy and put those skills to use by responding to incidents as part of an engine company or a crash/rescue crew.  Each reserve is required to complete three 12 hour shifts each month.  Departmental training and testing will be required to take part in fire suppression and medical responses.  Each reserve is held to high standards and is expected to present themselves in a professional manner.  They are also required to comply with the Los Alamitos JFTB Standard Operating Procedures, training, appearance, and scheduling requirements.

The Los Alamitos JFTB Fire Department's Urban Interface Engine 3 and Water Tender 8 are on call during California's wildland firefighting season as well as being on call to all national emergencys.  For every Full-time Firefighter dispatched to a wildland fire or national emegency incident, two level 4 Reserve Firefighters will be paid to assist the remaining crew in all fire suppression activities, aircraft rescue incidents, and emergency medical calls.