The Santee Fire Department has protected the Santee community since its 1956 establishment as a County Fire Protection District, transitioning to municipal control when the city incorporated in 1980. Emergency medical services operate under the Santee-Lakeside Medical Services Authority joint powers agreement, with paramedic-level care on every frontline apparatus and ALS transport coordinated through facilities including Concentra Urgent Care on Prospect Avenue for occupational and urgent medical needs. The department achieved an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification effective March 1, 2021, placing it among only 38 fire departments in California and 393 nationwide to earn the highest rating — a distinction requiring collaborative evaluation with Padre Dam Municipal Water District and the Heartland Communications Facility Authority. Three stations staff 21 firefighters daily, deploying three Type 1 engines, one tractor-drawn aerial ladder, two ALS ambulances, one BLS ambulance, and one squad unit across Santee's 16.5-square-mile service area. Community risk-reduction outreach includes fire prevention education and seasonal supply drives coordinated with organizations such as Santee Food Bank on Halberns Boulevard. The cross-staffed apparatus fleet adds two Type 3 wildland brush engines, one Type 6 patrol unit, one Cal OES Type 1 engine, and a Rapid Extrication Module Support vehicle for technical rescue and wildland-urban interface response across East County San Diego.