MORONGO INDIAN RESERVATION (July 22, 2025) – A new chapter in public safety began today as the Morongo Band of Mission Indians officially opened the doors of its new, state-of-the-art Fire Station #1 which will 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.
“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,” said Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin.
Designed to support up to twelve personnel per shift, the station 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 refuge during floods, wildfires, and other disasters.
Launched in the 1950s as a volunteer firefighting crew known as the Flying Eagles, 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.
“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,” said U.S. Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25), who secured $1 million in federal funding in support of the project.
Riverside County Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez applauded the Tribe’s continued leadership, saying “The Morongo Fire Department is one of our County’s most trusted public safety partners. 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 the years of planning and research guided the station’s development, noting that the new station has cutting-edge emergency alerting systems, environmentally friendly solar installations, and diesel exhaust filtration systems for firefighters’ health, among other 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.
The grand opening celebration comes two years after Morongo launched a tribal medical helicopter and ground ambulance service in the San Gorgonio Pass. Developed in partnership with Global Medical Response, American Medical Response and REACH Air Medical Services, the project is the first collaboration of its kind between a federally recognized tribe and an EMS provider in the nation.
With the opening of this next-generation fire station, the Morongo Band of Mission Indians reaffirms its role as a leader in emergency preparedness, bringing together tradition, technology, and service in the name of public safety.