Operations Division

This division is responsible for minimizing the losses resulting from fires and other hazardous incidents posing a threat to the community through effective confinement and extinguishment of fires. Personnel are also utilized to conduct annual fire prevention inspections, pre-fire surveys of hazardous occupancies, fire safety education, and first responder medical service.

Division Information

The City of Winston-Salem Fire Department Operations Division is divided into three battalions that are managed each day by three Battalion Chiefs. The Fire Operations Division is currently operating out of nineteen city fire stations. All fire stations are strategically located throughout the city to respond to calls for assistance involving: 

• Fire
• Hazardous-material incidents
• Medical emergencies
• Situations requiring rescue
• Vehicle accidents

Staff & Equipment

The men and women of this division will most likely be your first contact with the Winston-Salem Fire Department family. These men and women respond to all calls for service in the department. The Winston-Salem Fire Department is currently comprised of: 

• Five ladder companies
• Four support units: 
  • A brush truck
  • Decon response vehicle
  • Hazardous-materials support unit
  • Air resource truck and trailer
• Nineteen engine companies
• One hazardous material response unit
• One rescue company

All the fire stations are staffed on a 24-hour basis, 365 days per year, making up three platoons. All personnel in the Operations division are certified as North Carolina Level II Firefighters and North Carolina Emergency Medical Technicians. Operations Division personnel work an average of ten 24-hour shifts and have anywhere from 24 to 96 hours off between shifts.