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5 Critical Updates Revealing The Brea Fire Department’s New Era Of Service And Leadership

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The City of Brea Fire Department is currently undergoing a significant transformation, marked by a major leadership transition and the launch of a new, crucial service initiative. As of December 24, 2025, the department is focused on enhancing its emergency medical services (EMS) capabilities and solidifying its command structure to better serve the 12.43 square miles of the Brea community, which encompasses a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas. This period represents a new era for fire protection and life safety services in Orange County, ensuring residents receive the highest level of care during critical moments.

These recent developments are not merely administrative changes; they directly impact response times, service quality, and the overall preparedness of the city. From the appointment of a new Fire Chief to the strategic deployment of new resources, the Brea Fire Department remains committed to its mission of protecting life and property. The following deep dive explores the most critical updates and the essential services provided by this dedicated public safety agency.

The Command Structure: A New Era of Leadership

A pivotal change at the Brea Fire Department is the transition of its top leadership position. The City of Brea recently announced the retirement of long-serving Fire Chief Mark Terrill, a respected figure who guided the department through numerous challenges and advancements.

Stepping into this crucial role is Fire Chief Daniel Mielke, who was appointed to succeed Chief Terrill. Chief Mielke previously served as Deputy Chief and has an extensive background in fire service and administration, making him a natural choice to lead the department into its next phase. This succession ensures continuity in the department's strategic goals while bringing fresh perspectives to the challenges of modern urban firefighting and emergency response. The Fire Department command staff also includes three dedicated Battalion Chiefs who oversee daily operations and incident management across the city.

Chief Mielke's tenure is expected to focus heavily on integrating the new service initiatives and maintaining the department's high standards for fire suppression, emergency medical services, and community engagement. His leadership is central to the department’s ability to manage its resources effectively, including its three fire engines, one fire truck, and two BLS ambulances, all deployed from the four strategically located fire stations.

The transition highlights the department's commitment to internal professional development and succession planning, ensuring that the institutional knowledge and core values of the Brea Fire Department are passed on to the new generation of leaders and firefighters. The command staff’s unified approach is vital for coordinating responses across the 12.43 square miles of Brea, a geographical area that includes everything from dense commercial districts to sprawling residential neighborhoods.

Enhancing Life Safety: Brea’s Innovative In-House Ambulance Program

One of the most significant service enhancements currently underway is the development of the Brea Fire Department's in-house Ambulance Program. This initiative represents a major upgrade to the city's emergency medical services (EMS) capabilities, moving toward a more integrated and responsive system.

Historically, Brea has relied on a mix of services, but the move to an in-house program allows the department to have direct control over the quality, consistency, and response times of its ambulance services. The goal of this program is to enhance service to the community by developing a fully integrated system that places emergency medical services directly under the operational control of the Fire Department.

The program involves the deployment of dedicated BLS (Basic Life Support) ambulances staffed by qualified personnel. This strategic shift is designed to reduce the time it takes for a medical emergency response unit to arrive on the scene, which is often the most critical factor in a life-threatening situation. The integration of EMS with fire response teams, including the paramedic engines housed at various stations, creates a seamless chain of care from the initial 911 call to patient transport.

The in-house ambulance program is a direct investment in the health and safety of Brea residents and is a forward-thinking approach to municipal emergency services. It is part of a broader trend in public safety where fire departments take on a greater role in pre-hospital medical care, reflecting the reality that a majority of emergency calls today are for medical assistance, not fires.

Brea Fire Department at a Glance: Stations, Services, and Community Outreach

The operational backbone of the Brea Fire Department is its network of four strategically positioned fire stations. These stations are designed to ensure comprehensive coverage across the entire city, minimizing response times to both structural fires and medical emergencies. Each station is a hub for the department's core responsibilities: fire suppression, emergency medical services, and technical rescue operations.

The Four Pillars of Brea Fire Protection

The four fire stations house a total of three fire engines and one fire truck, along with the two BLS ambulances. For instance, Station 3 is located in the eastern region of the city, east of the 57 Freeway at 2600 E. Santa Fe Rd., and houses a four-person paramedic engine. This strategic deployment ensures that highly trained firefighters and paramedics are always ready to respond to any emergency within their designated Fire Management Zone.

Key services provided by the department include:

  • Fire Suppression and Rescue: Responding to structure fires, wildland fires, and vehicle incidents.
  • Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Providing advanced and basic life support, soon to be enhanced by the new in-house Ambulance Program.
  • Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Response: Managing incidents involving dangerous substances to protect the public and the environment.
  • Fire Prevention and Inspections: Conducting business and residential inspections to enforce the Fire Code and ensure public safety.

Community Engagement and Preparedness

Beyond emergency response, the Brea Fire Department is deeply involved in community safety and education. A core component of this is the Emergency Preparedness division, which works to prepare residents for large-scale disasters such as earthquakes or major brush fires.

The department actively promotes the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, which trains volunteers to assist first responders in a disaster scenario. CERT members learn essential skills like basic fire suppression, light search and rescue, and disaster medical operations, making the community more resilient. Other popular community programs include:

  • Fire Station Tours and Engine Visits: Allowing residents, especially children, to meet the firefighters and see the equipment up close.
  • The Free Pulse Point App: Encouraging residents to download this application to receive notifications about nearby emergencies and, in some cases, alerts for the need for CPR assistance.
  • Toy Drives: Brea Firefighters are known for their community involvement, including collecting new, unwrapped toys during the holiday season to support local families.

The dedication to public safety and life safety services in Brea is evident in the department's continuous efforts to modernize its fleet, train its staff, and connect with the residents. From the administrative offices to the front-line firefighters and engine companies, the City of Brea Fire Department stands as a model of responsive and progressive emergency service.

Entities and LSI Keywords for Topical Authority

Brea Fire Department, Fire Chief Daniel Mielke, Fire Chief Mark Terrill, Deputy Chief, Brea Fire Stations, In-House Ambulance Program, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), BLS Ambulances, Fire Engines, Fire Truck, Paramedic Engine, Orange County, City of Brea, Fire Management Zone, Fire Suppression, Life Safety Services, Fire Administration, Battalion Chiefs, Fire Prevention, Fire Code, Emergency Preparedness, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), Fire Station Tours, Pulse Point App, Public Safety, Structural Fires, Wildland Fires, Technical Rescue Operations, 57 Freeway, E. Santa Fe Rd.

5 Critical Updates Revealing the Brea Fire Department’s New Era of Service and Leadership
city of brea fire department
city of brea fire department

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