The Operations Branch is responsible for protecting life and property for over 745,000 citizens within a 357-square mile area and answered over 101,000 calls for service in 2017, a number that has steadily increased each year.

All emergency response operations are supervised by the Deputy Chief of Operations, who reports directly to the Fire Chief. Operations includes Suppression; EMS; Special Operations (Air Operations, Hazardous Materials, Swiftwater Rescue, Homeland Security, Tactical Medics, and Technical Rescue); and Training, Safety, Health & Wellness. The Deputy Chief of Operations supervises five Assistant Chiefs; one each assigned to EMS and Training, Safety, Health & Wellness, and one each assigned to each shift.

The Operations Branch oversees all aspects of the District’s all-hazard emergency services delivered from 41 stations, with daily shift staffing of 160 personnel. The all-hazard nature of the District is exemplified by the Special Operations Division, staffed by over a hundred discipline-specific, highly trained, qualified, and experienced personnel.