old glory, open doors, and one curious kid: a morning at el centro’s fire station

Driving toward Walmart with my son, Jared, on a warm Saturday morning, I noticed something shining bright against the Imperial Valley sky—Old Glory flying high above the El Centro Fire Station.

“Jared, look!” I said, pointing out the flag rippling proudly in the breeze. His face lit up immediately. “Can we go?” he asked. I promised we would, after we grabbed what we needed from Walmart.

We had no idea what was happening, only that something exciting was clearly going on across the street.

As we approached the El Centro Fire Station, the energy was unmistakable. Families strolled across the lot. Fire trucks stood ready. Smiles all around. The El Centro Fire Department (ECFD) hosts three fire stations across the city and staffs 24/7, with at least 10 personnel on duty at all times.

Each station operates a Paramedic Assessment Unit and cross-staffs additional rescue apparatus when needed. ECFD is funded for about 40 sworn firefighter/EMT positions and a few non-sworn staff members.

El Centro’s fire stations are located at:

Station 1: 775 State Street
Station 2: 900 S Dogwood Avenue
Station 3: 1910 N Waterman Avenue

A Detour Worth Taking

After finishing our errands, we found parking across from the station near Tractor Supply. From there, we crossed the street, joining a small stream of families heading the same way.

The closer we got, the clearer it became: the El Centro Fire Department was hosting an open house. Red trucks gleamed under the sun, firefighters stood ready to greet families, and the air buzzed with the kind of energy only a community event can bring.

Jared tugged at my hand, eyes wide.

“Firefighters!”

The first thing that caught our attention was an old-time fire car—a vintage, cherry-red beauty that looked straight out of an old movie. Its polished brass fittings glowed in the sunlight, and a few families were taking pictures beside it.

Jared climbed up carefully, grinning for the camera as I snapped a photo. It was one of those simple, pure moments that make you stop and think about how much history sits behind the shiny machines we take for granted today.

We continued meandering through the small crowd, and before long, we came upon a booth giving away freebies. The volunteers smiled as they handed Jared a bag filled with snacks, a miniature paper fire truck craft, a coloring book, and a box of crayons.

Next came something I didn’t expect: a live demonstration of how firefighters use heavy equipment to open a car that’s been in an accident.

A small crowd gathered as the team went to work on a wrecked vehicle. Using a tool that looked like giant metal jaws, they pried open a jammed car door with practiced precision. It was loud and mechanical, and surprisingly emotional to watch.

Inside the car was a training dummy, strapped into the seat, which firefighters used to simulate a real rescue. They also demonstrated how to break windows safely when trapped and explained why seatbelt safety is crucial in every crash.

Jared watched, mesmerized. The firefighters took time to explain their process to the kids, showing how the tools work and why every second counts during an emergency. It was hands-on education at its best—loud, dramatic, and unforgettable.

When the demonstration ended, Jared’s attention turned to something colorful at the far end of the lot—a miniature safety course.

The area was painted and marked like a real neighborhood street. There were pretend stoplights, railroad crossings, arrows on the road, crosswalks, and hazard signs everywhere.

Kids were allowed to ride small bikes and practice following road rules. Volunteers explained how to stop at red lights, signal turns, and watch out for pedestrians. Jared was thrilled—he hopped onto one of the small bikes and took off down the course while being guided by tireless volunteers.

It was both fun and educational, and I found myself smiling at how much thought had gone into it. It wasn’t just entertainment—it was teaching kids awareness, safety, and independence.

Next, we stepped inside a medical response van parked nearby. Inside was another training dummy on a stretcher, surrounded by machines and monitors—some with blinking lights, others with tubes and straps.

A paramedic explained that these were stabilizing machines, the kind used to keep patients alive during transport to the hospital. Jared looked up at the equipment in awe.

Then came one of the biggest highlights of the morning: the medical helicopter.

The crew invited families to take a look, helping kids climb up and sit in the cockpit. Jared climbed in bravely, and a firefighter took his picture sitting in the pilot’s seat, his grin stretching ear to ear.

It was incredible to see the inside of the helicopter—the compact medical equipment, the sheer precision of how everything fit in such a small space. For a few moments, everyone fell quiet, just taking it all in.

As we walked back toward our car, Jared still clutching his goody bag, I turned to look once more at the fire station. The flag waved proudly above it all—Old Glory against a blue sky, framed by the engines, families, and laughter below.

What began as an ordinary shopping trip had turned into something unexpectedly special—a morning full of…

Curiosity,
Learning, &
Community.

El Centro Fire Department’s Performance & Resources (cityofelcentro.org; Fire Operations Report)

During one recent 12-month period, ECFD responded to 4,566 calls, of which about 74 percent were medical (EMS) calls, showing how much of firefighters’ work involves medical emergencies rather than just structure fires.
The average dispatch time for the first arriving unit was ~1.5 minutes, and the average response time was ~5.7 minutes.
ECFD also administers fire prevention inspections. Captains inspect buildings requiring fire permits (hazardous materials, assembly places, etc.), plus multi-family residential, hotels, schools, and others. These inspections promote safety and help firefighters become familiar with building layouts and hazards.
ECFD is actively looking to modernize older stations (Stations 1 and 2), and in past assessments, recommendations have included improving fire station infrastructure, updating equipment, and enhancing training and planning.

Fire Safety Principles

From what the firefighters showed us, and from general fire safety knowledge, here are key takeaways:

Seatbelts save lives. Many rescue scenarios begin with people trapped or injured in vehicles; proper restraint reduces both severity and complexity of rescue.
Timely response matters. Every second counts—in structure fires, smoke, heat, and toxic gases can spread fast. Having a well-trained, well-staffed fire department with fast response times saves lives and limits damage.
Home safety habits help. These include working smoke detectors, known escape routes, fire extinguishers for small fires, and safe storage/charging of electronics (especially lithium batteries).
Fire prevention is a shared responsibility. Inspections, building codes, and public education (like the booths and exhibits we saw) are critical to keeping homes and businesses safe.
Rescue training & teamwork are essential. Using hydraulic tools, stabilizing patients, coordinating air and ground units—all these require drills, communication protocols, and precision.

The firefighters, paramedics, and volunteers had created more than an event—they’d created an open invitation for connection. Every demonstration, every question answered, every child who rode the safety bike or peeked inside the helicopter was part of something quietly powerful: building trust and awareness in the next generation.