New Fire Pass Area Fire Station Of The Future Opens On Morongo Reservation

BANNING, CA — The Morongo Band of Mission Indians officially opened its new, state-of-the-art Fire Station #1 to enhance public safety on the Morongo Reservation and throughout the San Gorgonio Pass.

Located at the intersection of Morongo and Santiago Roads on the Morongo Indian Reservation, the 15,000-square-foot facility replaces the former station that housed the Morongo Fire Department since 1998.

Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin spoke on the accomplishment.

“Public safety has always been a top priority for our tribe, and our new fire station will further strengthen the Morongo Fire Department’s mission to protect lives and property on our reservation and across the Pass far into the future," he said.

The station will support up to twelve fire personnel per shift.

It features modern living quarters, dual apparatus bays, an early earthquake detection system, and advanced response technologies that enhance the department’s capabilities. With a reinforced structure and backup power systems, the station can provide residents with a safe haven during floods, wildfires, and other disasters.

Morongo Fire Department first launched in the 1950s.

It was comprised of a volunteer firefighting crew known as the Flying Eagles, according to a tribal spokesperson. Since that time, the Morongo Fire Department has evolved into a full-service agency with nearly 50 full-time professional firefighters, EMTs, and ambulance personnel.

Today, the Morongo Fire Department plays a crucial role in regional emergency services, responding to over 1,500 calls annually, nearly half of which are in cities and communities outside the reservation borders.

U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz, (CA-25) was on hand to congratulate the department on the new station.

“Whenever disaster has struck, the Morongo Fire Department has always answered the call — from helping battle wildfires across Riverside County and the state of California to responding to local emergencies with speed, professionalism, and courage,” he said. Ruiz secured $1 million in federal funding to put towards the project.

Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez applauded the Tribe’s continued leadership.

“The Morongo Fire Department is one of our County’s most trusted public safety partners," he said. This new facility reinforces our shared mission to keep the reservation and all communities across the San Gorgonio Pass safe.”

Morongo Fire Chief Abdul Ahmad highlighted that it has taken years of planning and research to guide the station’s development and build out. He noted that the new station features cutting-edge emergency alerting systems, environmentally friendly solar installations, and diesel exhaust filtration systems to protect firefighters' health, among other notable features.

“This facility reflects everything we stand for: readiness, resilience, and respect for the people we serve. We’re proud to bring this vision to life to expand and enhance emergency services across the region,” Ahmad said.

It has been two years since the Morongo tribe launched its first medical helicopter and ground ambulance service in the San Gorgonio Pass, according to tribal spokesman Michael Fisher. That operation, developed in partnership with Global Medical Response, American Medical Response and REACH Air Medical Services, is the first collaboration of its kind between a federally recognized tribe and an EMS provider in the nation.

The opening of such a "next-generation fire station" is a big step toward bringing together tradition, technology and service in the name of public safety. According to Fisher, "With this, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians reaffirms its role as a leader in emergency preparedness."