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Printed from: http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/firerescue/divisions/suppression.cfm on 11/22/2009
Fire Suppression Division
 
The Fire Suppression Division is directed by Operations/Assistant William F. Singleton, who coordinates and commands all Fire Rescue emergency activities. The Special Operations Chief, the Training Division Chief and Three Shift Commanders report directly to the Operations/Assistant Chief. The Shift Commanders in turn, provide 24 hour oversight and supervision to 18 Battalion Chiefs. The Shift Commanders, through their Battalion Chiefs, provide supervision, leadership and direction to 816 career uniformed fire and rescue personnel and 175 volunteer personnel located in 41 fire stations and 2 stand-alone rescue stations. 2002 E-One 105 Platform Aerial

Each battalion chief oversees a fire/rescue battalion in which personnel work shifts of 24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty. Each station has three shifts (A, B, & C). Each fire station is coordinated by a career captain or a volunteer chief/captain. All suppression stations respond with a minimum of a single engine company staffed with a captain, driver/engineer and one or two firefighters.

Firefighters battling an Ammonia Leak

Other stations are multiple company stations and are staffed by a combination of engines, ladders, aerial platforms, tankers, brush trucks, air trucks, and a Hazardous Incident Team (HIT) truck. Fire Rescue currently operates 39 advanced life support (ALS) pumpers throughout the county. In addition, all first responders are equipped with an automatic external defibrillator (AED). Seventy-five percent of our emergency medical technicians have been trained to initiate IVs.

Fire Rescue personnel's duties are to respond to fire, EMS, and other emergencies as required to protect the citizens and property in the unincorporated areas of the county, conduct pre-fire planning for all structures other than single- and two-family dwellings, and aid in fire prevention and public education programs. The Division responds to over 80,000 fires, emergency medical calls, hazardous materials incidents and requests for assistance annually.