Summary of Services

The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (Fire EMS) provides emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, and homeland security and special operations response for the District of Columbia, including planned events and activities unique to the nation's capital. The Department is responsible for fire and life safety code enforcement, along with community-based education and prevention programs. Fire EMS is the lead first-response agency for managing consequences resulting from natural disasters or other catastrophic events impacting the national capital region. To provide these services, the Department maintains 33 engine companies, 16 ladder truck companies, 17 medic units (ambulances staffed by paramedics), 26 basic life support ambulances (staffed by emergency medical technicians), and special operations vehicles, including three specialized rescue squads, a hazardous material unit, and a fireboat unit. The Department has 34 neighborhood fire stations and 9 support facilities. Major facilities include: Headquarters, a Logistics Warehouse, the Training Academy, and the Fleet Maintenance Facility. Key objectives in accomplishing our mission are:

•     Embracing a supportive work environment focused on creating a safe, competent, and professional workforce team;
•     Ensuring that our facilities, vehicles, equipment, and processes remain capable of supporting service delivery requirements;
•     Building collaborative relationships within our community to improve service delivery; and
•     Delivering timely, high quality, and effective services to better serve the needs of our community.