COVID-19 Updates and Resources
Below, please find updates on COVID-19, or the coronavirus, and it's impacts on the Fire District. Please join us in following all San Diego County orders, guidelines, and recommendations.
Effective Tuesday, October 6, the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District office lobby will be open to the public with the following guidelines in place:
- Lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
- Facial coverings will be required.
- No more than two visitors will be allowed in the lobby at one time.
- Visitors will be required to maintain 6 ft of social distance from others.
- The bins will still be available for plan check pick-up and drop-off for those who would prefer to limit contact.
The Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District office lobby will be open to the public effective Wednesday, June 17, with the following guidelines in place:
- Lobby hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm with an hour closure 12:00 pm– 1:00 pm for lunch and lobby sanitizing.
- Facial coverings will be required.
- No more than two visitors will be allowed in the lobby at one time.
- Visitors will be required to maintain 6 ft of social distance from others.
- The bins will still be available for plan check pick-up and drop-off for those who would prefer to limit contact.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.
As of March 31, 2020, our office will remain closed to the public through April 30, 2020. Plan checks and inspections will continue. Please call the office at 858-756-5971 to arrange for plan pick-up or drop-off or to schedule an inspection.
Due to recent declarations of State and Federal Government and to help limit the spread of COVID-19, the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District lobby is closed to the public effective March 22, 2020 until further notice.
Our main priority at this time is the continuity of emergency services and essential administration functions.
During this time, fire prevention plan checks and construction inspections will still be conducted. Please call the District office at 858-756-5971 for instructions on how to submit or pickup plans or how to schedule an inspection.
Over the counter consultations are also suspended, but staff will still be available by phone and email to answer any questions.
On March 13th, the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District was made aware that one of its employees may have been exposed to COVID-19 while off duty on travel. As a precaution, the employee and his assigned co-workers were excused from duty and directed to self-quarantine. On March 18th, the District was notified that the employee had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The employee did work one shift prior to March 13th; however, was asymptomatic during his tour of duty. Station personnel did not respond to any emergencies or have routine business that involved interaction with the public. All other public agencies that this employee had contact with have been notified.
The employee remains self-quarantined at home and is in good condition. Two of his co-workers remain asymptomatic and will be returning to work in the near future; one other crew member will remain in self-quarantine pending test results.
All guidelines have been followed per local medical authority and the Center of Disease Control.
The Fire District cleaned and sanitized the fire station, fire apparatus, and all equipment upon notification of the exposure. This incident presents little to no risk to the public.
The Fire District has implemented strict procedures and quality control measures to provide for the safety and welfare of its workforce. Fire Chief Fred Cox wants to reassure the community that all Fire District personnel are fully focused on serving the community and that we are operating at full capacity and responding to emergencies normally.
The Fire District also strongly encourages residents to follow San Diego County Health Department’s public heath orders to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We are all in this together and everyone must do their part.
UPDATE: The employee was cleared to return to work on March 26. All others have returned to work as well.
In the interest of public safety and to limit the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), our administrative and prevention staff is going to a modified work and office schedule. Representatives will be available via phone or email Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
The Administration office will only be open to the public Tuesdays and Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm for plan check drop off and pick up and will be closed Friday-Sunday.
In addition, face to face meetings are suspended until further notice. This schedule is subject to change as necessary.
Anyone exhibiting any symptoms, including but not limited to a fever or cough, will not be allowed inside the office. Thank you for you cooperation and understanding.
- San Diego County Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
- San Diego County Coronavirus Statistics Dashboard
- 2-1-1 Community Information Exchange
- Center for Disease Control Coronavirus website
- World Health Organization Coronavirus website
- Sign up to have updates sent to your phone. Text COSD COVID19 to 468-311.