FIRE SUPPRESSION & RESCUE
Fire Suppression
The Fire Suppression (Operations) Division is configured into three districts called battalions. Front-line fire engines are deployed to deliver initial fire attack and EMS services within 7 minutes. A standard response for a confirmed structure fire, also called a first-alarm assignment, consists of three engine companies, one ladder truck company, a hazardous materials and breathing support company, one rescue company, two battalion chiefs, a safety officer, and a duty investigator, totaling twenty-five (25) firefighters.
When more fire apparatus are needed, a fire can be upgraded to a second-alarm which adds another two engine companies, one ladder truck company, one rescue company, and one additional battalion chief. Total staffing for two alarms is forty (40) firefighters. All firefighters are trained for fires in the wildland-urban interface and equipped to provide structure defense and initial attack on wildland incidents.
For emergencies involving vegetation fires, also called a brush alarm, the initial response consists of two engine companies, a specialized wildland type 3 or 6 engine and a battalion chief, totaling ten (10) firefighters.
Daily emergency response staffing across all three battalions consists of seventy (70) career fire personnel on a 24 hour shift assignment, operating nineteen (19) front-line fire apparatus, and three (3) battalion chiefs in command vehicles, operating from fifteen (15) fire stations. In some scenarios during declared “Fire Season” when there is high fire danger potential, the department will staff an additional type 3 or 6 engine during daytime hours.
Rescue
GOAL: Control emergency incidents that threaten lives, property, and the environment.
- Arrive at the scene of emergencies within five minutes of receipt of alarm, at least 90 percent of the time.
- Maintain “Confined Space – Awareness Operational Level” training for all firefighters
- Maintain “Rescue Systems I” certification for truck and rescue personnel.
The Department has three front-line ladder trucks and three rescue vehicles, which employ specialized equipment designed to carry out rescue duties such as extrication of victims from traffic collisions or industrial accidents. All emergency response personnel are trained in basic rescue techniques involving motor vehicles. For more complex rescue emergencies, the department will deploy members of the Special Operations Task Force (See Special Operations Task Force).
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