Oakland Fire Department

The proud members of the Oakland Fire Department are committed to providing the highest quality and highest level of courteous and responsive services to the residents, businesses, and visitors of Oakland. This is accomplished by implementing comprehensive strategies and training in fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services, and all risk mitigation, including human-caused and natural disasters, emergency preparedness, 9-1-1 services and community-based fire services.

Local Responsibility Area Fire Severity Zone Maps


View the New East Bay Fire Severity Zone Maps

On Monday, February 24, 2025, the State Fire Marshal released maps for the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones. State government code requires the State Fire Marshal to make recommendations of fire hazard severity zones to local municipalities for their designation and adoption by ordinance. Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps arose from major destructive fires, prompting the recognition of these areas and strategies to reduce wildfire risks. Legislative response led to mandated mapping across California under the California Public Resources Code 4201-4204, encompassing all State Responsibility Areas (SRA). Other laws include California Code of Regulations Title 14, Section 1280, and California Government Code 51175-89.

As part of this process, the City of Oakland is required to provide an online public comment period within 30 days of the map's release, and within 120 days, the City Council is required to adopt the ordinance approving the map designations.

View the Fire Severity Zone maps

For more information: https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/what-we-do/community-wildfire-preparedness-and-mitigation/fire-hazard-severity-zones

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps

Fire Hazard Severity Zone Viewer

Oakland Map

Questions and Answers

Local Responsibility Area - Legislation Factsheet

Feedback: Local Responsibility Area Fire Severity Zone Maps

Public Comment

The City of Oakland is seeking public comment about the Fire Severity Zone maps. Please provide your thoughts by email to wildfireprevention@oaklandca.gov by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2025. Alternatively, you may attend the City Council meeting where this item will be discussed. The date for this city council meeting will be determined soon.

In-Person Permitting Services with the Fire Prevention Bureau

Effective February 14, 2022, the Fire Prevention Bureau’s (FPB) permit counter is now located on the 2nd floor of 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza and offering In-Person permitting services by appointment only. CLICK HERE to review the appointment information and identify which appointment type you would like to schedule, then visit our Bookings website to schedule an appointment with FPB. We look forward to seeing and serving you!

The MACRO Program (Mobile Assistance Community Responders Of Oakland)

The City of Oakland is in the initial phases of beginning a Pilot Program known as MACRO (Mobile Assistance Community Responders of Oakland). The MACRO Program is a community response program for non-violent 911 calls. The goal is to reduce responses by police, resulting in fewer arrests and negative interactions, and increased access to community-based services and resources for impacted individuals and families, and most especially for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Read the latest updates on MACRO here.

Department Leadership and Organizational Structure

OFD Logo 2021

•Office of the Fire Chief

•Fiscal & Administration Services Division

•Field Operations Bureau

•Medical Services Division

• Emergency Management Services Division

•Fire Prevention Bureau

•Support Services Bureau

Public Education and Community Engagement

Fire Prevention Resources, Inspection, and Plan Review Information

Emergency Management Services Division

The Emergency Management Services Division (EMSD) within the Oakland Fire Department strives to build a safer and more resilient Oakland. We accomplish this goal by leveraging partnerships, developing our core capabilities, and maintaining a culture of preparedness.

We ensure the City of Oakland can respond to, recover from, and mitigate against any hazard that affects our city, the region, the state, and beyond. Through internal and external training and exercising, we build our capabilities, explore our vulnerabilities and evaluate and review our plans covering the entire cycle of preparedness to ensure continuous improvement.

Leadership

Portrait of Damon Covington

Damon Covington

Fire Chief

On October 27, 2023, City Administrator Jestin Johnson announced the selection of Damon Covington to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Oakland.

Chief Covington has been the Interim Fire Chief since June 2023.

“I am thrilled that Chief Covington has accepted this important appointment to become the next Chief of our proud Oakland Fire Department,” said City Administrator Johnson. “Damon Covington has a distinguished professional resume from his 24 years of experience in the fire service, and his personal commitment to the safety of Oaklanders is unparalleled.”

Prior to this appointment, Chief Covington served in an array of capacities over his 24 year career with Oakland Fire, including, Firefighter-Paramedic, Fire Engineer, Lieutenant of Fire, Captain of Fire, Captain of Training, Battalion Chief, Special Operations Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, and most recently Interim Fire Chief.

Chief Covington’s educational accomplishments include a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Sonoma State University and a Master’s degree in Executive Public Administration from Golden Gate University.

Chief Covington was the President of the Oakland Black Firefighters Association from 2016-2022, and previously served as the Chair of the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District, respectively. Additionally, he currently serves as an Adjunct Professor for Merritt College where he lectures in the undergraduate Fire Science program.

Chief Covington moved to the East Bay during his early childhood, graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, and is the proud father of one son.

Contact Us

Address

Oakland Fire Department Administration

Phone Numbers

Open Hours

Monday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Social Media

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