Intermountain Fire and Rescue needs your help!
We receive no tax funding and need your financial donations to function.
It might surprise you that there are areas in San Diego County that rely on Volunteer Fire Departments, and these departments function with no government help. Learn more below about how you can help.
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Who Comes When You Call 911 In Ramona's Back County?
Intermountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department does - We are the First Responder for the 120 square mile area east of Elizabeth Lane, north of San Diego Country Estates, west of the Inaja Memorial and south from the Henshaw Resort.
Our services include structural fire protection, brush fire fighting, emergency medical treatment and much-needed highway rescue, especially along the Hwy 78 corridor.
I Pay Taxes, I Must Receive Fire Protection, Right?
Not necessarily when it comes to fire protection, Californians are not treated equally. We pay our property taxes and we expect our government to provide basic public safety services. But the Fire Departments in San Diego, Ramona and the Back Country are funded in very different ways.
If you live in City of San Diego, your Municipal Fire Department is funded directly from property taxes.
If you live in the Ramona Fire Protection District, your Fire Department is funded by a special assessment that is added to your water bill.
If you live in the Back Country, your Fire Department is not funded by your taxes. Your fire protection is provided by a Volunteer Fire Department which depends on donations. Intermountain Fire and Rescue is one of these volunteer departments.
Where Do We Get Our Money?
From You! We conduct fundraisers and we are reimbursed for a small fraction of the service we provide. We apply for grants for large purchases, such as our fire engines and rescue vehicles. But mostly we depend on your donations and subscriptions to pay the day-to-day expenses of protecting lives and homes in our service area.
Who Are The Firefighters of Intermountain Fire And Rescue Department?
Trained Professionals - Intermountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue firefighters are trained professionals. Most are certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) with the skills needed to provide first response medical services. Our firefighters are trained and equipped to fight structure fires as well as brush fires. They volunteer their time and talents to serve this community. You can meet our firefighters on our Members page.
Where Does The Money Go?
Mostly gas, maintenance and insurance. As you can see in the chart below, most of our money is spent to keep our firefighters and trucks on the road. Even though all of our firefighters are volunteers, we must still pay workers compensation insurance.
How Much Does It Cost To Run A Fire Department?
Fire departments are very expensive. Every time we respond to a call, our Department must pay a $50 dispatch fee, a single fire hose nozzle can cost more than $1000, vehicle extrication equipment (Jaws-of-life) can cost $50,000, and a new fire truck cost between $300,000 to $600,000.
Our budget to keep our Department functioning in years past was about $80,000, this does not include the purchase or replacement of any large items such as vehicles or equipment.
What Can I Do To Help?
Volunteer - Give of your time and talents! We need firefighters, see our Join Us page for more information. We need people to help with fund raising and community outreach. We also need people to serve on the Board of Directors. If you can help with fund raising or would like to serve on our board of directors please Contact Us.
Become a Subscriber - An annual subscription is $100 per year. It’s a great way to help, and subscribers do not have to pay any response fees during your subscription year, if you or your family need Intermountain services. A Subscriber Form can be Downloaded Here. This form requires Adobe PDF Viewer.
Become a Donor - If you can afford more, give more. We are an IRS 501(c)(3) charity and your contributions may be tax deductible. If you would like to arrange a large donation, please Contact Us.
Tell Your Neighbors - Help us spread the word that we must do what the government will not. We must provide the funds to operate our Fire Department.
How Can I Send A Donation?
Mail A Donation To:
Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department
P.O. Box 1362
Ramona, CA 92065
Become A Subscriber:
A Subscriber form can be Downloaded Here. This form requires Adobe PDF Viewer.
For Help With A Large Donation:
Please Contact the station and ask to speak to one of our chiefs.
Are My Contributions Tax Deductible?
Yes! We are an IRS 501(c)(3) charity and your contributions may be tax deductible.
Who Supports Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department?
Intermountain Fire and Rescue Department would like to extend a special thanks to our Founder Fund donors for donations of $500 or more:
- Betty Mabee - Golden Eagle Farm
- Ken Wood - For Ramona Estates
- Sam Fraizer
- Robert & Dixie North - North Arabian Ranch
- Joy TerHorst
- Christopher & Karen Sickels
- Colleen Burman - Creek Hollow Ranch
- Donald Cohn - Ballena Vista Farm
- Tony & Jean Ciulla
- Daniel Vengler & Norma Garcia
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- Ransom Pump & Supply
- John & Heidi Farkash - E.A. Ranches
- Ramona Canyon RV Camp
- Cary & Nancy Schultz
- Ray & Betty Millet
- William Tulloch
- Ralph Turner
- Ron & Lila Peterka
- Ken & Denice Childs - Star B Ranch
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