The Morgan Hill Rural Fire District was created by law in 1946 through an election by the residents of the District.

The physical operation of fire protection by the District began in January of 1947. The Board of Supervisors appointed a five person Board of Commissioners to oversee the operation and report to the Supervisors.

Morgan Hill Rural was (and still is) operated through a contractual arrangement with the State of California, Department of Forestry (CDF).

Until 1968, the two District-owned fire engines were housed at the CDF Headquarters' Fire Station at 15670 Monterey Highway, Morgan Hill. During 1968, the District leased a facility at 13170 Colony Avenue. San Martin, and stationed one fire engine at that location. Late in that year, an additional fire engine was purchased and Paid Call Firefighters (volunteer type) were recruited. Presently, the fire district operates four Class A pumpers, a 2600 gallon water tanker, and one administrative vehicle.

Current employees include 15 Paid Call Firefighters, 3 Firefighters, 6 CDF Fire Apparatus Engineers, 1 CDF Operations Chief. and 1 CDF Clerk/Typist.

Dispatching is provided through the contract by CDF.

 
The Gilroy Rural Fire District was created on May 16, 1927, and on January 24. 1966, was reorganized under the Fire Protection Law of 1961. The District now operates under the provisions of Division 12, Part 2.7, commencing at Section 13801 of the Health and Safety Code.

The Santa Clara County board of Supervisors are the governing body of the District. Management is, however, delegated to a District Board of Directors.

The area comprising the Gilroy Rural Fire District is bounded on the north by the Morgan Hill Rural Fire District, on the south and west by the Santa Clara County Line, and on the east by a line running north and south through the mountains in the Pacheco Pass area. The total area of Gilroy Rural Fire District is 187 square miles.

Gilroy Rural Fire District has one station located at: 7331 Church Street, Gilroy. The station was built in 1956.

Currently, there are nine employees: 1 Chief, 3 Captains, 5 Apparatus Engineers, who work a 56 hour work week.

Five pieces of fire equipment are owned by the District:
1 - 1959 1,000 gal. Class A pumper
1 - 1965 1,000 gal. Class A
1 - 1968 4X4 250 grass truck
1 - 1977 Chevrolet pickup
1 - 1967 Ford pickup

The District also has the use of one Office of Emergency Services fire truck.

 

The South Santa Clara County Fire District was established in 1980 when the Gilroy Rural Fire District merged with the Morgan Hill Rural Fire District. This new district contracted with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) to provide comprehensive emergency services to the unincorporated areas of Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill.

The Fire District staff includes 1 Battallon Chief, 5 Fire Captains/Paramedics, 1 Fire Captain, 8 Fire Apparatus Engineers/Paramedics, 8 Fire Apparatus Engineers, 1 Mechanic, 3 Dispatch Clerks/Communications Operators and 3 Firefighters. The fire district operates 5 type 1 Fire Engines, 2 3,000 Gallon Water Tenders, 2 Utillty Vehicles, a Chief Officer's Vehicle, a Mobile Air Support Unit and a Mobile Urban Search and Rescue Unit.