Founded in 1935, initially a volunteer department, PFD has collaborated with the West Stanislaus Fire Protection District since its inception. First paid Fire Chief and administrative roles were hired mid‑20th century. Career firefighters joined in 2005. Division Chiefs were added in the early 2000s as growth accelerated. This joint PFD‑WSFPD arrangement is considered a model for effective regionalized fire protection in rural/suburban settings.

Patterson Fire Dept provides:
• Fire suppression (structure & wildland interface)
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) since 2016
• Hazardous Materials response
• Urban Search & Rescue, water rescue, vehicle extrication

Patterson Fire Department is a well-established, all-hazards public safety provider, known for its integrated service model with WSFPD since 1935. Organized into two stations and a robust cadre of personnel and apparatus, PFD handles nearly 2,000 emergency calls yearly—primarily medical—with full fire, rescue, and hazardous response capabilities. With a mission grounded in community service and core values emphasizing excellence and innovation, the department also prioritizes engagement and prevention. Its joint governance structure enables regional efficiency, although recent administrative tensions highlight ongoing dynamics.

Community outreach: station tours, public education, pre-planning, fire inspections, disaster preparedness are administered under the joint authority of the City of Patterson and West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District. Fire Chief reports to the City Manager and District Board.

Recently, the Firefighters Association issued a vote of no-confidence in Fire Chief Jeffrey Frye over labor concerns; city has responded with a third-party review.