The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department provides Fire Suppression,Hazardous Materials Mitigation,Technical Rescue Services,Emergency Medical Response Services and other public safety services to the city of Dallas, Texas. Dallas Fire-Rescue is the second-largest fire department in Texas, with 59 fire stations.
Overview
Area served
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department serves approximately 1.6 million people within the City of Dallas, Texas. DFRD is organized into 2 divisions, with 10 battalions, and 59 fire stations for each geographic area of the city. Dallas Fire-Rescue faces some challenges within their district. Including 2 airports, large bodies of water, many high rises, and over 6 major highways.
Organization
The department's current interim fire chief is Justin Ball.[4] The department has four bureaus, each directed by an assistant chief: Emergency Response, Emergency Medical Services and Special Operations; Recruiting and Communications; Fire Prevention & Investigation; and Training and Administration. Under each assistant chief, deputy chiefs or managers coordinate specific programs and branches.
History
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department began operations on July 4, 1872, in response to a large fire 12 years earlier in July 1860.[5] During the interim, there was a disorganized response with delays in starting due in part to the Civil War, The department became fully salaried in 1885.[6]
Chief Artis[7] assumed his role in December 2018 after the previous chief David Coatney resigned to become director of Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service.[8]
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department was instrumental in the creation of Texas Task Force 2,[9] one of two urban search and rescue (USAR) teams in the State of Texas.[10] It is managed by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service and headquartered in Dallas.[11]
Dallas Fire-Rescue operates from 59 stations. Fire apparatus operated is mainly Spartan however a change to Pierce has started with the recent purchase of a squad & several trucks & engines.[15]
Dallas Fire-Rescue Department has a set protocol for structure fire responses. Each fire is dispatched as a "Structure Fire Reported" (Category A) or "HIRISE Structure Fire Reported" (Category B). Once a fire unit is on scene and has reported on the conditions of the fire, the unit will either "tap out" the box (canceling all units except for the units on scene already) if there is no fire or smoke showing, or upgrade the fire to a working assignment. If the fire is large enough, "alarm" upgrades will be transmitted, sending additional units to the scene. A working fire becomes a first alarm, if more units are required, a second alarm is transmitted, and so on and so forth. Any Category B High Rise Box with that reports out with initial fire company with fire or smoke showing will automatically be transmitted as 2nd Alarm High Rise Box. The following is a list of Alarm types along with the Units assigned.
Adds 3 Engine Companies and Trucks will be at the Incident Commanders request
Line of duty deaths
The Dallas Fire-Rescue Department has suffered a number of Line of Duty Deaths during its operational history.[21][17] The department has a memorial to their fallen members at the department museum. DFRS maintains an interactive list that explores the individual's lives & the events that led to their line of duty death.[22]
