Operations - Emergency Response

The Suppression Division manages the day-to-day activities of the department's emergency responders.

The fire suppression program comprises of one of the Fire Department's primary missions; the control and extinguishment of fires.

Under this program the department responds to and mitigates calls for services including fire alarm activations, apartment fires, brush fires, commercial fires, structure fires, vehicle fires, and hazardous conditions.  Approximately 1,000 fire calls are run on an annual basis.

Training and preparation to respond to fire emergencies constitutes a major portion of the firefighter's activity time.

The on-duty personnel are divided into two stations. Both stations are assigned to a Shift Battalion Chief. Station 81 is equipped with one engine company and a one truck company, each staffed with a minimum of three personnel. Station 82 is staffed with one engine company.

The staff works a three-shift, 24-hour rotation. The Operations Division has on-duty personnel with specialized skills to respond to unusual emergencies such as hazardous materials events, low-angle rescues, confined space rescues, and arson investigations. The department no longer maintains a fireboat for response to marine incidents on the surrounding rivers, however, it does respond with the Maritime Fire Safety Association to ocean going ship fires.

The two stations are placed in geographic locations that allow for the best response time to incidents. Longview Fire Department conducts quick interior attacks to provide the best public safety and reduce the amount of property loss.