Fire Operations

The fire suppression force, or Fire Operations, is under the direction of an Assistant Chief and is divided into three platoons. A platoon is the complement of fire fighters on any given day. The total number of companies in a platoon is 42 engine companies, 13 ladder or quint companies, 2 rescue companies, 2 hazardous materials companies, 2 tower companies, 1 fireboat company, 5 tankers, 2 helicopters and 1 helicopter tender. Each platoon is divided into five battalions, each headed by a Battalion Chief. Each Battalion Chief oversees approximately 12 companies. See the Map of Oahu Fire Stations for the geographic location of each battalion and fire station.

The Fire Operations section of comprises the majority of activity for the Honolulu Fire Department. Fire Operations is responsible for multi-mission emergency response for the entire island of Oahu. In 2005 Fire Operations responded to 36,000 emergencies, including, but not limited to the following:

·         Fires o        Building Fires o        Vehicle Fires o        Brush Fires o        Dumpster/Rubbish Fires o        Marine Vessel Fires
·         Emergency Medical Calls o        Medical o        Trauma o        Mass Casualty
·         Hazardous Materials Incidents o        Chemical Agents o        Potential Biological Agents o        Radioactive Sources o        Explosives
·         Technical Rescues o        Mountain Rescues o        Ocean Rescues o        Confined Space Rescues
·         Motor Vehicle Accidents o        Patient Extrication and Stabilization o        Post collision mitigation
·         Natural Disasters o        Floods o        Hurricanes or High Wind Conditions o        High Surf	*photo used by permission from the Honolulu Advertiser

For more information, see the Apparatus and Equipment page.