The Garden Grove Fire Department was established in 1926 to provide services designed to minimize loss of life and property after a $50,000 Knapp Chili warehouse fire occurred in May 1922. E.J. Toby Tobias, who had been a firefighter in Mansfield, Ohio, was particularly sensitive to the urgency of the need for fire protection. When asked at a Lions Club meeting what he thought was the most important priority for the rapidly developing town, without hesitation he replied, "a fire department." Since its inception, the fire department has expanded its role of fire suppression to emergency medical services and technical rescues that provide a higher level of protection for its citizens. The mission of the fire department is to promote performance excellence through rapid response, proactive training, prevention and preparedness programs, while maintaining a high level of efficiency and well being for its people. The Garden Grove Fire Department is located in Garden Grove, Calif.