History

In 1931 after  a “conflagration” destroyed the local grocery store the Palm Springs Fire District was formed and a 1931 American La France 500 gallon per minute pumper was purchased.  

The El Diablo Rojos (“The Red Devil”) cost $7,000.00 and to this day is the pride of the department. In 1932 The department received a class 8 rating from the Pacific Board of Underwriters. The City had 33 fire hydrants, few paved streets and 18 volunteer firemen protecting a winter population of 3500 and a summer population of 300. The nearest mutual aid was over an hour away — from either Banning or Indio.

In 1936 the City upgraded its water system and built a fire station staffed round the clock.
Today, protecting a permanent population of 55,000 and a seasonal population of over 100,000, the City Of Palm Springs Fire Department is an ISO Class 3 rated department. Five fire stations protect 96 square miles with a staff of over 17 firefighters. Palm Springs Firefighter's respond to over 6400 calls for aid each year with response numbers growing annually by 5-7%.