RANCHO BERNARDO - They live in overcrowded conditions, have shower curtains for bedroom walls and no front door.

No, they're not homeless, they're firefighters in one of the wealthiest areas of San Diego County.

"They're coming out helping us 24 hours a day and working in these conditions," said Karen Rott, who is heading up a fundraiser to renovate Station No. 33, a 35-year-old fire house in which six men and women share sleeping quarters with a shower curtain separating them.

They have tolerated these conditions for the last 15 years, Rott said, but Rancho Bernardo residents won't allow their heroes to live like this anymore.

"It's just not right," said Rott, who chairs Friends of Fire Station 33. "We will not have a fire station that is falling apart in Rancho Bernardo."

The fire station, located at 16966 Bernardo Center Drive, needs upgrades including expanding and modernizing its kitchen and garage, and adding a public entrance and lobby.

The Friends recently formed to raise $675,000 needed to improve the fire house with the help of the RB Community Council, which will oversee the construction process through an ad hoc committee, Rott said.

The facility has deteriorated since it was built in 1969, Rott said, but came to the attention of Rancho Bernardo residents a year ago when heavy rain broke through the roof. Beds, cabinets, walls and the carpet were soaked and became mold infested.

"It's gotten to be a real hot issue," she said. "And it's something we have to address in our community."

The roof has since been repaired and the mold removed but space is still an issue, said Fire Capt. Steve Johnson, who has been at Station 33 for three years.

"We're getting by day to day," he said. "We're so used to it, but it's not the best of conditions to live in."

The fire station was built for three people and one vehicle. Today the station has six people and three fire vehicles.

"If you have an expanding family you need a bigger house," Johnson said, adding that new safety equipment takes precedence. "We're kind of a low priority for city funds right now."

On June 4, the Friends of Fire Station 33 and the ad hoc committee will officially kick off a fundraising drive during the annual San Diego North Chamber of Commerce's RB Alive! street fair. The fair raises money for the honorary mayoral candidate the chamber endorses.

This year the chamber is endorsing Rott, who says she will give half of the money to the fire station project. The committee will raffle off a fire station birthday party for 14 children with all the trimmings, Rott said.

"The kids can even climb on the fire trucks and squirt the hoses," she added.

Rott said the Friends group wants to drum up support from local foundations, businesses, civic groups and private donors.

"Every dollar is going to help," she said. "What I'm looking for is just total community support behind this."

To get involved in the project or to make a donation, call Rott at (858) 613-1933.

Contact staff writer Adrienne A. Aguirre at (760) 740-3526 or aaguirre@nctimes.com.