Effective coordination is critical to maintaining control and protecting lives, especially in emergency response operations. In California, that need for unity led to the creation of FIRESCOPE (FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies). Developed in the 1970s after catastrophic wildfires exposed gaps in multi-agency response, FIRESCOPE has grown into a statewide program that shapes how emergencies are managed, how agencies work together, and how responders can work safely and effectively through ongoing improvements to the mutual aid system.
On January 14 and 15, 2026, FIRESCOPE’s Board of Directors, made up of fire chiefs and leaders from local fire departments, state agencies, and federal partners, gathered in Mather, California, hosted by Cal OES, to continue FIRESCOPE’s evolution. The two-day meeting brought together expertise from across the fire and emergency management community and reflected on FIRESCOPE’s commitment to continual improvement and collaboration.
Together, these quarterly meetings give board members a real-time picture of what resources are available, where gaps remain, and how agencies plan to align their efforts before the next major emergency.
“We know California is disaster-prone, and this is the group – the fire chiefs, the fire fighters – who make sure that the state of California is prepared, and the public is safe.” – Brian Marshall, State Fire and Rescue Chief, Cal OES
For fire chiefs responsible for keeping communities safe, the goal of the FIRESCOPE meeting helps define the standards, resources, and guidance they will use throughout the years to come. Whether they are coordinating evacuations, activating mutual aid, or integrating resources from multiple agencies, the systems and tools shaped by FIRESCOPE make their jobs more predictable and more effective.
First responders on the ground, firefighters, paramedics, and rescue teams benefit from these decisions through improved standards, consistent communication tools, and clarity of roles and responsibilities during incidents large and small. The Board’s focus on health and safety, and technology underscores a commitment not only to operational excellence but also to the wellbeing of the responders themselves.
As California faces year-round wildfire seasons and increasingly complex emergencies, FIRESCOPE remains a steady force, bringing agencies together, refining the systems that guide response, and turning hard-earned lessons into practical improvements. The January board meeting underscored the continued collaboration, shared leadership, and commitment to those on the front lines. FIRESCOPE will continue to shape how the state prepares for, responds to, and recovers from the challenges that lay ahead.
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