The Austin Fire Department provides fire protection and first-response emergency medical services to the city of Austin, Texas. The Austin Fire Department is the fourth largest fire department (by number of personnel) in the state of Texas.[3] In total, the department is responsible for an area of 272 square miles (700 km2) and services a population of 885,400 (2013 estimate), the 11th largest city by population in the United States.[4]
History
The Austin Fire Department was started in 1841 when the first fire protection organization was sanctioned by the city council consisting of a seven-man fire protection group.[5] It was not until 1858 that the city would have a properly organized, skilled and equipped department.
^"Stations". Austin Fire Department. Archived from the original on 19 May 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
^"Regulated departments by size". Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.