The Thornton Rural Fire Protection District (TRFPD) was established in 1951 by the residents of the Thornton community. Originally founded as an all-volunteer fire station, the District was formally organized under the California Health and Safety Code, Section 13800. It was the seventeenth fire protection district established in San Joaquin County, and for that reason carries the designation District 17.

Today, the Thornton Rural Fire Protection District provides fire protection and suppression, fire prevention and inspection services, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services to a service area encompassing approximately 42.8 square miles. The District is located in the northwestern portion of San Joaquin County, serving the community of Thornton as well as surrounding agricultural and rural areas.

The District currently operates with two-person (2-0) full-time staffing, supplemented by an additional intern firefighter, to provide continuous emergency response coverage. The Thornton Rural Fire Protection District responds to an average of 355 service calls annually and provides protection to approximately 980 structures within its jurisdiction.

To ensure timely and effective emergency response, the District maintains an automatic aid agreement with the Cosumnes Fire Protection District in Sacramento County and a mutual aid agreement with the Woodbridge Fire District, supporting regional cooperation and public safety.

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