Fire Suppression  

Fire suppression is accomplished with 15 engine companies, 7 ladder companies, and 2 rescue companies divided into 3 battalions. Each engine company is staffed with a Captain, Operator, and 2 Firefighters. Engine companies that have a corresponding ambulance assigned are maintained as Advanced Life Support (ALS) engines and are normally staffed with Firefighter/Paramedics. All total there are 10 ALS engine companies and 5 Basic Life Support (BLS) engine companies. Each ladder company is staffed with a Lieutenant, Operator, and Firefighter/Tillerman. The two rescue companies are staffed with a Lieutenant, Operator, and 2 Firefighter/Medics. All rescue personnel are trained in Heavy and Tactical Rescue as well as being Hazardous Materials Technicians.

Typically, a fire response consists of 3 engine companies, 1 ladder companies, 1 rescue company, 1 battalion chief, and 1 ambulance. The ambulance crew will commit to fire suppression at working incidents. All working fires are dispatched a fourth engine company, second Ladder, EMS street supervisor, and an additional ambulance if necessary. A second alarm will receive 1 more engine company and an additional ladder company. An air unit is available to assist in positive pressure ventilation of the fire structure.

Emergency Medical Services

Norfolk Fire-Rescue is responsible for providing all emergency medical services within the city of Norfolk.  This is accomplished with a vehicle ambulance fleet, state-of-the-art equipment, and highly trained personnel.  Currently there are 10 medic apparatus designed specifically for advanced life support, all staffed by two Firefighter/Paramedics.  Ten ALS engines and two rescue companies are also staffed with Firefighter/Paramedics to support the Medic units on calls within there pre-designated response area. 

Firefighter/Paramedics respond to all types of medical emergencies and are trained to assess patients, diagnose cardiac rhythms, begin IV's, give intravenous medications, and perform many other life saving medical treatments. After attending a two year training program to achieve NREMT-P (Paramedic) status, Firefighter/Paramedics are required to complete 72 EMS recertification hours every two years.

With recent advances in technology a variety of high tech equipment has become available in the emergency medical field. Fighter/Paramedics are responsible for operating sophisticated equipment such as the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) which is used when a person is in cardiac arrest as well as many other types of life saving equipment.