The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District developed over many years as the San Ramon Valley grew from a rural farming area into a vibrant community with a major business center, shopping centers, and a wide variety of residential areas. In 1912, when there were still very few residents, Danville area community leaders established the Danville Farm Defense Fire District as a volunteer fire department. In 1921, it was renamed the Danville Fire Protection District and protected approximately 50 square miles. In 1963, at the direction of local San Ramon landowners, Contra Costa County reorganized its East County Fire Protection District into the San Ramon Fire Protection District, which covered a 20 square mile area around the town of San Ramon. In December of 1979, the Danville and San Ramon Fire District merged to form the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, the Tassajara Fire District was annexed in 1991, and the Dougherty Regional Fire Authority was annexed in 1997. Today, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District serves the City of San Ramon, the Town of Danville, the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, and Diablo, and the southern boundary of Morgan Territory and the Tassajara Valley, an area of approximately 155 square miles.