The Operations Division has a current staff of 87: a Division Chief, three Battalion Chiefs, 15 Lieutenants, 24 Engineers, and Firefighters. These personnel operate from the five fire stations strategically located throughout the District on a 24 hours on and 48 hours off shift rotation. There are three shifts (A, B, and C). Each shift consists of a set of personnel that work together as a team and live together as a family.
The Division Chief of Operations works a traditional work week of Monday through Friday and provides direction and support for the lower ranking officers. Battalion Chiefs are responsible for their respective shift of suppression personnel. Each station has a Lieutenant who is in charge of all the personnel and equipment at that specific station. Fire apparatus are operated by an Engineer, who has received specialized training in emergency response driving. Firefighters comprise the balance of the suppression staff at each station. Staffing levels at each of the stations is based upon the anticipated call volume of the response area covered.
Station 71 has 4 personnel (Lieutenant, Engineer, 2 Fire Fighters). Station 72 has 6 personnel (Lieutenant, 1 Engineers, and 4 Fire Fighters). Station 73 has 7 personnel (Lieutenant, 2 Engineers, and 4 Fire Fighters). Station 74 has 7 personnel (Lieutenant, 2 Engineers, and 4 Fire Fighters), Station 75 has 4 personnel (Lieutenant, Engineer, 2 Fire Fighters). The concentration of personnel varies daily due to staffing needs and sick or vacation time. Also housed within these stations are seven fire engines, two ladder trucks, three advanced life support rescue trucks, and four special operations vehicles.
All of our firefighters maintain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certifications, and we currently have over 30 firefighters who have been trained and licensed to deliver Advanced Life Support (ALS) services as Paramedics.