WRA Organization

Flow Chart

SMPERS (pdf)

About the WRA

The Wildland Residents Association, Inc., is a nonprofit public benefit corporation. The WRA was incorporated in 1982 under the laws of the State of California, as a 501 (c)(3) IRC corporation. All donations to the WRA are tax deductible. There are no salaried positions in the WRA. All work is done by volunteers. The WRA does contract for some services such as accounting, legal, consulting services and training.

The WRA serves as a liaison between Santa Barbara County's mountain communities and various governmental agencies. The WRA provides the management of the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department and assists in the management of the Mountain Drive Fire Department in Montecito. The primary mission of the fire department is prevention and education. Suppression efforts are based on the concept of "self help." A quick initial attack prior to the arrival of County Fire and Forest Service firefighters has proven to be very successful in preventing small fires in becoming major incidents.

The WRA participates in many local issues such as traffic, water projects, fire prevention and education programs, public information, evacuation programs as well as other local issues that impact the mountain communities. The WRA sponsors various public forums and lectures on subjects ranging form the area's natural history to home preparedness for emergencies, first-aid and CPR, hazard reduction and conservation. Prevention, planning and preparation is the mantra of the WRA.

Pursuant to state and federal laws, the WRA does not engage in political activities. The WRA does not support candidates for office. Those interested in these activities are encourage to contact their local homeowners association.

The WRA maintains active membership in the Fire Safe Council and the California State Firefighters' Association, as well as the Public Information Officers Association, CAER and the Tri-Counties Training Officers Association. The WRA is a strong supporter of the American Red Cross and the Amateur Radio Emergency Services-ARES through the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club.

The WRA developed and received funding for the San Marcos Pass Emergency Radio System-SMPERS. This will be a AM radio station located on the top of Painted Cave that can be monitored on any vehicle or portable commercial AM radio. The transmitter will provide emergency information in the event of a fire or other emergency affecting the mountain communities. The station will also be connected to the California Office of Emergency Services-OES for broadcasting of emergency messages for the Santa Barbara area automatically.

The WRA maintains a state-of-the-art Bendix-King VHF radio system. The communications system is compatible with local, state and federal agencies. The equipment complies with new FCC narrow banding requirements as well as the national APCO 25 standards. Mountain residents are encouraged to purchase a radio scanner to keep updated on emergency situations.

San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department is funded through community dues, local grants, donations, FEMA grants, and other governmental grant sources.

WRA Department Standards

All WRA fire departments are organized pursuant to §14829 of the Health & Safety Code. Each department adheres to the strict training standards of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, National Interagency Incident Management System Wildland and Prescribed Fire Qualifications System, 310-1. Each department is recognized by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office and the California Department of Emergency Services.

New members are required to complete a formal application, go through an interview, pass the department physical test and pass a background check. Upon acceptance, each new firefighter must complete basic first-aid/CPR, I-100 Introduction to the Incident Command System, S-190 Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior and S-130 Firefighter Training and HazMat First Responder to obtain a Firefighter 2 (FFT2) Red Card certification.

Each member firefighter must attend at least 20 hours of continued training and 16 hours of wildland refresher training through advanced classes each year. Further, each member firefighter must requalify each year on the physical agility test and fire shelter drill.

Becoming an active member of your volunteer fire department is a great way to contribute a valuable community service and to meet your neighbors.

For information on joining your local department, please call 964-7194. All interested mountain residents are invited to join the WRA. For further information, please contact us.

The departments provide the following services:

• Local trained volunteers organized to provide supplemental fire protection and disaster assistance to the mountain communities
• Trained in wildland firefighting safety, tactics, strategy, and techniques to the NWCG 310-1 standards
• Able to provide initial attack to local fire emergencies
• Equipped for wildland firefighting and structure protection
• Able to provide radio communications in emergencies
• Provide bush mitigation services
• Assist in local controlled burns
• Active with several public groups providing support services to the mountain communities
• Respond to requests for assistance pursuant to mutual aid agreements

  The departments are not:

• Career firefighters
• Paramedics or ALS providers
• Search and Rescue responders
• Hazardous Materials Responders
• Trained, equipped, or capable of providing interior structure fire attack
• Enforcement officials