The Fire Operations Division of the Detroit Fire Department is the city’s frontline defense—dedicated to protecting life, property, and our community around the clock. Every month, our teams respond to approximately 4,000 emergency calls, ranging from structural fires and hazardous material incidents to auto accidents and critical medical emergencies. We are committed to safeguarding Detroit by delivering fast, effective fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services. Our highly trained personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, and comprehensive training programs ensure that every call is answered with precision and care.

Our division is staffed with over 1000 sworn firefighters and emergency responders, all of whom are rigorously trained to handle a wide variety of emergencies. Since the launch of our Medical First Responder program in 2015, we have consistently met the national standard and have now reduced response times for priority one medical emergencies to 7 minutes and 30 seconds from the time a 911 call is received.

The Detroit Fire Department has recently improved its ISO rating from ISO 4 to ISO 2, saving Detroit taxpayers money. ISO is a national rating system that measures a city’s preparedness to fight fires to set homeowner insurance rates.

With 36 strategically located fire stations throughout Detroit, we are able to provide rapid response times across the entire city.

Apparatus and Equipment:

• Engine Companies: 27 fully equipped engine companies ready for rapid fire suppression and rescue operations.
• Ladder Companies: 13 ladder companies, including both rear-mount ladders and specialized aerial platforms, ensure safe access to high-rise and hard-to-reach areas.
• Specialized Units: 6 tactical mobile squads support complex rescue and hazardous material incidents, while our fleet includes an extensive range of ambulances and rescue vehicles. 1 Hazardous Materials Technician Team that operates 2 HazMat vehicles.
• Fire Boats: We operate 2 specialized fire boats, including the renowned Curtis Randolph and Sivad Johnson, to serve emergencies along and on the Detroit River.

 At the heart of our operations is a relentless commitment to continuous improvement and community engagement. We invest in advanced training, maintain modern apparatus, and embrace innovative response strategies. This is all to ensure that when you need us, help is never far away. Together, our resources, expertise, and dedication empower the Fire Operations Division of the Detroit Fire Department to serve Detroit with excellence, every day.

Here some stories of our DFD heroes:

• WXYZ: Spotlighting the Heros of Detroit Fire Department
• WXYZ: Detroit mother thanks the firefighters who saved her 2-year-old son
• WXYZ: 'I’m so grateful for life': Detroit woman reunites with firefighters who saved her life