Location and Jurisdiction

Santa Barbara County Fire Department Station 51 is located at 749 Burton Mesa Boulevard near Lompoc (map). They can be reached at (805) 737-7742.

Engine 51’s response area is bounded in the north by Hwy. 1 at San Antonio Creek. In the south at the Los Cruces Grade on Hwy. 1. In the east by Drum Canyon at Hwy 246 and in the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Medic 51’s response area is bounded in the north by Hwy. 1 at San Antonio Creek. In the south at Hwy. 1 and the convergence of Ytisas and El Jaro Creeks. In the east at Hwy 246 and Drum Canyon and the west by the Pacific Ocean.

Equipment

Engine 51

Engine 351

Medic 51

Staffing

Station 51 is staffed by one Captain, two engineers and two Firefighter/Paramedics.

History

The fall of 1961 was turbulent in regards to the establishment of a County Fire Station near the Lompoc Valley. The argument was that since the new station was to be located between Vandenberg Village and the Signature Homes sub divisions they should bear the brunt of the cost. However Fire Warden Wadliegh came forth and stated that County firefighters would be vacating the existing Lompoc city fire station and that a primary function of the new County station was to provide protection of the watershed in the area and therefore the obligation was a county wide issue. Though there was still dissention among the County Board of Supervisors the issue was finally resolved and money was allocated from the County’s capital outlay fund. On October 3 of 1961 the City of Lompoc formally requested that the County move out of the Lompoc City Fire Station because the space was needed for additional firefighters and equipment that the City wanted to add to its force. The building process began on July 20, 1962 when the County purchased 4 acres for $4,000.00 from the Union Oil Company, which retained oil and mineral rights. Plans were completed for a new fire station and 2 dwelling units for the married firefighters and their families. (A firefighter had a 132 hour work week in 1963 working 24 hours a day 6 days a week with 2 days off.) On .Jan 8th, 1963 a contract was awarded for construction to Diani-Guilfoyle Inc. for 59,363.00 for the fire station. On May 13th, 1963 a contact for the living units was awarded to Doane Building Company. The fire station and living units were completed during November of 1963 for a total cost of $106,000.00. On Jan 5th of 1964 a captain and 3 firemen moved into their new quarters. With the eventual change in the work schedule of the firefighters the living units were no longer needed and these were given over to the County Sheriffs in January of 1978.