Fire Suppression

The men and women of this division will most likely be your first contact with our family. Divided into three platoons and staffing seventeen fire stations, we respond to calls for assistance involving fire, vehicle accidents, and situations requiring rescue. The Fire Department is currently comprised of seventeen engine companies, four truck companies, and two hazardous materials response units. We provide medical assistance and expertise in managing incidents involving hazardous materials. All Suppression personnel are certified as North Carolina Level II Firefighters and North Carolina Emergency Medical Technicians.

As a part of our medical response program, we utilize semi-automatic defibrillators when indicated to help resuscitate a heart which is not beating, inject epinephrine when indicated to assist with allergic reactions, and insert blind insertion airways to improve the exchange of air for a patient. Firefighters work an average of ten 24-hour shifts and have anywhere from 24 to 96 hours off between shifts. During a shift, firefighters live, eat and sleep at their assigned station. Time between calls is spent conducting inspections, educating the public, and conducting both medical and fire-related training.

Our department also sponsors an Explorer Scout program which exposes qualified teenagers to the firefighting profession through training and ride-along experiences. Two career firefighters with the department serve as advisors to the program. We view this program as a tool for introducing young adults to the fire service as a career. In addition, the program emphasizes the concepts of teamwork, commitment, and loyalty which will hopefully accompany the participant as they encounter other walks of life.