Manteca Fire Department's 5 Biggest Changes: New Chief, Station #6, And 2025 Equipment Upgrades
The City of Manteca Fire Department is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a change in leadership, major capital investments, and strategic expansion plans that are set to redefine public safety in the region. As of late December 2025, the department is focused on enhancing its emergency response capabilities to keep pace with Manteca’s rapid growth, prioritizing the opening of a new fire station and the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment. These initiatives reflect a clear commitment from city leaders to make public safety a top priority for the foreseeable future.
The recent changes, including the swearing-in of a new Fire Chief and the deployment of a new fire engine, signal a new era of proactive community risk reduction and emergency preparedness. From expanding its physical footprint with new facilities to securing federal grants for optimized staffing, the Manteca Fire Department is strategically positioning itself to serve the community through comprehensive fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS). The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget is the driving force behind these critical upgrades.
Meet the New Leadership: Fire Chief Steve Islas Biography and Command Staff
The Manteca Fire Department (MFD) welcomed its 13th Fire Chief, Steve Islas, who was officially sworn into his new role in November 2025 by City Clerk Cassandra Candini-Tilton. This leadership change followed the retirement of former Fire Chief Dave Marques in January of the same year.
- Name: Steve Islas
- Current Title: Fire Chief, City of Manteca Fire Department (13th Chief)
- Appointment Date: Sworn in November 2025
- Previous Experience: Chief Islas brings a wealth of experience, having served for 23 years with the Stockton Fire Department before coming to Manteca.
- Noteworthy: His appointment is a key component of the city’s renewed focus on public safety and strategic growth management.
Chief Islas leads a dedicated Command Staff focused on the department's full-service mission. This team is responsible for overseeing all emergency response, administration, and community outreach efforts.
- Deputy Chief of Operations: Jeff Dennis
- Deputy Chief of Administration: Franco Torrice
The 2025-2026 Expansion: Fire Station #6 and Strategic Staffing
One of the most significant developments for the City of Manteca Fire Department is the aggressive plan to expand its physical infrastructure. The department is actively moving forward with the establishment and opening of Fire Station #6, a crucial project budgeted for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026.
This new facility is slated for construction in southwest Manteca, a rapidly growing area of the city. The strategic placement of Fire Station #6 is essential for reducing emergency response times and improving coverage across the municipality.
The need for the new station is so pressing that City Manager Toni Lundgren and municipal staff have been examining its impact on the potential annexation of Oakwood, highlighting how public safety infrastructure drives urban development.
Beyond new buildings, the MFD is also focused on optimizing its existing resources through strategic staffing. The city is actively applying for a federal grant designed to provide additional firefighting staffing. This grant would allow the department to fully man an engine at the Powers Avenue station, enabling the critical relocation of the tiller truck apparatus to the Union Road station for improved city-wide coverage.
Modernizing the Fleet: New Equipment and Apparatus
In a tangible sign of the city's commitment to public safety, the Manteca Fire Department has invested in new, modern equipment. In November 2025, a new City of Manteca Fire Engine officially went into service.
The new apparatus is a 2024 Pierce pumper, a high-tech vehicle that replaces older equipment and ensures that firefighters have the most reliable tools available for emergency response. This investment is part of a broader series of upgrades aimed at keeping the department's fleet current and effective in mitigating various emergency scenarios.
The current Manteca Fire Department operates from several key locations, providing a network of protection for the city. It is important to note that the City of Manteca Fire Department is separate from the Lathrop-Manteca Fire District, though they often collaborate through mutual aid agreements.
Current City of Manteca Fire Stations:
- Fire Station 1: 290 S. Powers Avenue
- Fire Station 2: 1154 S. Union Road
- Fire Station 3: 399 West Louise Avenue
- Fire Station 4: 1465 W Lathrop Road (Apparatus includes Engine 241 and Engine 244)
Full-Service Mandate: Beyond Fire Protection
The Manteca Fire Department is a full-service agency, meaning its responsibilities extend far beyond traditional firefighting. The Operations Division is tasked with a wide range of emergency and incident mitigation services that are critical to the community’s well-being.
Key services provided by the MFD include:
- Fire Protection: Responding to structure fires, wildland fires, and other fire-related emergencies.
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Providing advanced life support (ALS) and emergency medical care for medical emergencies and trauma incidents.
- Hazardous Materials Response (HazMat): Managing incidents involving dangerous substances to protect the public and the environment.
- Water Rescue: Specialized response for emergencies on or near waterways, a crucial service for the region.
- Urban Search and Rescue: Capabilities for complex rescue operations in collapsed structures or challenging environments.
Commitment to Community Risk Reduction (CRR)
A core modern philosophy of the Manteca Fire Department is Community Risk Reduction (CRR), which focuses on proactive measures to prevent emergencies before they occur. The department’s Fire Prevention Division is the engine of this effort, working through education, enforcement, and engineering to create a safer city.
The Fire Prevention Division's programs are designed to engage citizens and businesses directly. They offer information and resources on vital safety topics, fostering a new generation of citizen advocates for fire safety.
Key CRR and Prevention Initiatives:
- Home Safety Programs: Providing guidance on the proper use and maintenance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
- Code Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with the Manteca Fire Code to maintain safety standards in commercial and residential buildings.
- The SAFE Program: This initiative focuses on unique areas of non-operational support that are critical to the department’s overall mission, offering a way for community members to contribute without being volunteer firefighters.
Through these strategic investments in new leadership, facilities like the forthcoming Fire Station #6, modern apparatus like the 2024 Pierce pumper, and a renewed focus on Community Risk Reduction, the City of Manteca Fire Department is confidently moving into 2026, ensuring the highest level of service for its growing population. The department's proactive approach to staffing, equipment, and public education is the foundation of its mission to protect life and property in Manteca, California.
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