Fire Stations

Fire stations are buildings designed to house firefighters and fire-fighting vehicles. In addition, they can house fire-fighting materials and other equipment. The building may also be used as a workout area for fire-fighting personnel. Fire stations also have offices and work areas for firefighters to hold meetings or conduct other business. Fire stations can be found in cities, towns, villages and counties, as well as in some countries and regions. In many places, a fire department is called a fire brigade (England and Wales), Fire Authority, or fire service (Australia).

A fire department may have professional firefighters or volunteers. It may have a combination of both, or all professional and volunteer firefighters. In some places, fire departments also provide emergency medical services, either through a cross-trained team of firefighters or through a separate EMS division that includes both volunteer and professional EMTs and paramedics. Some countries have federal agencies that oversee firefighting, while others have regional or state agencies that run the service.

In the United States, firefighting is typically organized on a municipal level. Some municipalities belong to “fire protection districts” that share one fire department. In the United Kingdom, England and Wales, a fire service is commonly known as a Fire Brigade, although some of these have more formal names such as Metropolitan District Fire Brigade or City of London Fire Brigade.

Fire stations are typically located in the urban or suburban areas of a community. The FDNY has 218 firehouses and 39 fireboat stations, as well as other support facilities such as a firefighting academy and fleet management operations. In addition, the FDNY has an advanced life support ambulance service.

FDNY fire stations are divided into five borough commands, and within each borough command, there are nine firefighting divisions. Each division has a deputy chief, and within each division are four to seven battalions, each led by a battalion chief. Each battalion has several squadrons, which are commanded by an officer, and each squadron has at least two firefighter companies. In addition to fighting fires, FDNY personnel respond to medical emergencies, terrorism incidents, hazardous materials accidents, transportation accidents, high-angle and trench rescues, and other situations that require specialized expertise.

A typical FDNY engine company consists of an officer (lieutenant or captain) and six firefighters for a full-time crew. In addition, the company has a hazmat, dive, or USAR unit with three to five additional personnel. Some stations have “double companies” with both an engine and ladder. Some of these also have a paramedic unit with two to four personnel.

The FDNY operates in a complex environment with a diverse population living in wood-frame homes, high-rise apartments and commercial buildings, secluded bridges and tunnels, the New York City Subway system, large parks that are vulnerable to brush fires, and other unique challenges. To combat these problems, the FDNY has a highly-skilled staff that is ready to respond 24/7.