Established in 1964, Local F-85 serves as the bargaining unit for the federal firefighters of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, located just north of Oceanside, California,  and Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center, located near the Eastern Sierra town of Bridgeport, California.

Camp Joseph H. Pendleton was established in 1942 by the United States Marine Corps and in 1946 became a permanent training base. Its 200 square miles was once part of the corridor of Spanish Missions, and the historic El Camino Real runs along the coastal boundary of the base.  For the hundred years prior to the establishment of Camp Pendleton, the property was known as Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, a thriving cattle ranch. 

Today it is home to the I Marine Expeditionary Force and various training commands. Over 2600 buildings and 500 miles of roadway have been constructed, and the base is currently experiencing rapid growth of tenant organizations, facilities, and residential areas.

                Camp Pendleton Firefighters are civilian employees whose mission is to support the activities of the Marine Corps through fire protection, emergency medical response, and the mitigation of natural and manmade disasters and hazardous materials incidents. From ten full time fire stations and one seasonal fire station operated jointly with the USDA Forest Service, Local F-85 firefighters respond to over 4000 calls for service annually.

            The department's mission is all-risk in nature. Camp Pendleton's daytime population swells to over 100,000, and its facilities include everything from vast training areas, schools and businesses, recreation facilities, to state of the art equipment and technology. The department operates a fleet of nine Type I (structural) engines, ten Type III (wildland) engines, a truck company, two medium rescue companies, a hazardous materials unit and four paramedic ambulances. 

            From the pounding surf of the Pacific Ocean to the remote reaches of the Cleveland National Forest boundary,  We serve not only Marines and their families but also civilian employees and visitors to the base, as well as the general public that transits the Interstate 5 corridor from the Oceanside city limits to the Orange County line. Our jurisdiction also includes San Mateo State Campground and San Onofre State Beach, famous for its world-class surf breaks, as well as the nearby San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. To the east, Marines train on land and in the air, and to the west, amphibious hovercraft and U.S. Navy warships can often be seen offshore. No matter where help is needed, Local F-85 firefighters stand prepared to serve our customers.

We staff one of two State Certified Type 1 Hazardous Materials Teams in San Diego County and maintain automatic and mutual aid agreements with neighboring agencies. We participate in the statewide mutual aid system, deploying resources throughout California when disaster strikes. We're proud of the work we do and we're committed to the safety of our community. Thank you for visiting.

Sincerely,

Maurice Patrykus

President, IAFF Local F-85