Con Fire celebrates opening of Regional Fire Communications Center

$26 million facility in Concord staffed and operated around the clock

By Lauren Ono, PIO, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District

CONCORD, CA- The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Contra Costa Regional Fire Communications Center (CCRFCC) on Friday, June 19, 2026. It is a state-of-the-art emergency communications facility that serves as the critical link between the public and emergency responders throughout Contra Costa County.

“Before firefighters arrive on scene and before a paramedic begins treatment, an emergency dispatcher is already helping those in need,” said Contra Costa County Board Chair Diane Burgis, District 3 Supervisor. “The opening of this communications center represents an investment in public safety for Contra Costa County. It ensures the highly skilled professionals who answer our calls for help have the tools, technology, and resources they need most, when every second counts.”

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the CCRFCC is located at 2210 Willow Pass Road in Concord and staffed by extensively trained emergency dispatchers who serve as the first point of contact during emergencies. In addition to answering 911 calls, dispatchers gather critical information, provide pre-arrival medical and safety instructions to the caller, coordinate the deployment of resources, and support emergency personnel throughout an incident from initial dispatch to final resolution.

The approximately $26 million facility was designed to enhance operational reliability, improve coordination, and provide the advanced technological infrastructure necessary to support the County’s growing public safety needs. The facility includes 16 dispatch positions, dedicated training and conference room space, enhanced site security, and on-site dormitories to support 24/7 operations.

“This facility is more than a communications center,” Fire Chief Aaron McAlister said. “It is the foundation of our emergency response system. By investing in modern technology, resilient infrastructure, and our personnel, we are strengthening our ability to serve the communities in Contra Costa County for decades to come.”

Technology & Innovation

• Upgraded radio, telephone, and IT systems support 24/7 operations.
• Software tools track unit status, location, and incidents to optimize coverage in real time.
• iPads are now deployed on all fire apparatus for real-time communication and incident management.
• The CCRFCC has integrated EMS personnel into dispatch operations via the Alliance ambulance transport program.

In a Facebook post on Friday, June 26, District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson who was in attendance for the ribbon cutting wrote, “I was honored to stand with Fire Chief Aaron McAlister, members of the Communications Staff, and firefighters to celebrate the opening of the new Contra Costa Regional Fire Communications Center (CCRFCC) in Pleasant Hill. The CCRFCC is a state-of-the-art emergency communications facility that serves as the critical link between the public and emergency responders throughout the County. The facility was designed to enhance operational reliability, improve coordination, and provide the advanced technological infrastructure necessary to support the County’s growing public safety needs.”

The communications center serves as the primary dispatch point for fire and emergency medical services for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, the El Cerrito/Kensington Fire Department, the Crockett-Carquinez Fire District, and the Moraga-Orinda Fire District, and provides EMS dispatching for the Richmond Fire Department. It serves the cities of Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Oakley, Orinda, Pinole, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, San Pablo, Walnut Creek and the Town of Moraga.

In 2025, the CCRFCC dispatchers answered 253,294 calls and dispatched over 133,300 incidents.

For more information about the Regional Fire Communications Center visit Communications / Information Systems | Contra Costa County FPD, CA and for more information about Con Fire visit www.cccfpd.org.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.