The El Paso Fire Department is a full-service fire department. We respond to all calls involving fires, medical emergencies, and hazardous materials events in the City of El Paso. Specialized teams respond to water, mountain, and technical rescues. We also respond to many other types of emergency events. The department provides mutual aid to Fort Bliss Military Base and the County of El Paso under the terms of the Mutual Aid Agreements. When an emergency event occurs the role of the Fire Department is to arrive on the scene as quickly and safely as possible in order to provide assistance and mitigate the emergency.

The Fire Department responds to over 63,000 emergency calls annually. The Fire Department utilizes resources from the community to limit the number and types of emergencies that occur. The inspectors of the Fire Prevention Division help ensure that the building and fire codes are followed. All businesses are inspected for fire hazards annually. If inspectors find any, the owner or occupant is required to fix them and bring them up to the requirements of the code. Investigators help ensure that suspicious fires are thoroughly investigated and people that commit these types of fires are brought to justice. Public Education unit trains citizens and children in fire safety and how to use fire extinguishers.

These are some of the ways that your Fire Department helps keep the city a safe place to live. The Fire Department was recently rated an ISO Class 1 department showing the dedication, training, equipment, and progress we have made to ensure the citizens of El Paso have the best department possible.

The department provides Paramedic and Ambulance service to the community. A Medical Director oversees the operation of the division and ensures a high-degree of emergency medical service is delivered. The El Paso Fire Department increased the number of Ambulances on the street from 14 to 19 beginning in January 2005. We are also staffing more units during prime time hours in order to provide Advance Life Support to our citizens more quickly.

Mission

The basic mission of the Fire Department is to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property from the effects of fire or other emergencies and to render such public assistance as may be determined by the Fire Chief or higher authority. This mission encompasses the following activities:

Fire Suppression and Extinguishment Activities necessary to prevent or minimize the loss of life and property when a fire starts. Rescue Activities that provide rescue for fires and other emergency situations. These situations include specialized rescue such as mountain rescue, water rescue, and trench rescue. Life Support Activities, in coordination with other emergency organizations, that prevent the unnecessary loss of life or complications of injury in the case of accidents or sudden illness. Hazardous Conditions Mitigation Activities that prevent or minimize the loss of life and property from hazardous conditions such as natural disasters caused by high winds and flooding, hazardous building situations, and hazardous materials releases. Public Assistance Activities that contribute to the general health, safety and welfare of the community as may be determined by the Fire Chief or higher authority. Support Activities The following support activities are necessary for the accomplishment of the basic mission:

Fire Prevention and Inspection Activities necessary to prevent the origin and spread of fires. Fire Investigations Activities necessary to determine the origin and cause of fires. Pre-emergency Planning Activities necessary to identify potential problems that endanger life and property, and to gather facts enabling fire fighting forces to operate at the scene of a fire as safely and effectively as possible. Communications Activities necessary to maintain an effective and timely response system that determines an appropriate level of response to minimize the extent of the emergency. Training Activities necessary to maintain all personnel at required levels of training and educational standards. Maintenance Activities that maintain facilities and equipment in a state of readiness.

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