The Operations side of the Department - commonly referred to as "suppression" - is organized in companies of 4 to 7 firefighters, each supervised by a Captain.  Each fire station houses one company.  The Captains report to a Battalion Chief, who serves as shift commander.

The three Battalion Chiefs report to the Assistant Chief and Fire Chief of the Department. Operations personnel are responsible for handling all emergency response activities, requests for special services, and routine work assignments.

In addition to responding to all manner of fires, fire department personnel also provide emergency medical care, rescue operations (high angle, confined space, swift water, ice, etc.), hazardous materials/hazardous conditions response, investigation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and assistance during natural or manmade disasters.

Often, the Fire Department is called upon to provide non-emergency special services. Such service might include assisting other City departments with water removal, gaining access to high work, or providing manpower for a specific project. Crews are routinely assigned to provide on-site standby assistance at public events. Engine companies commonly visit schools and day care centers to demonstrate firefighting apparatus and equipment, as well as conducting fire station tours.

A good deal of a firefighter’s time is spent checking and maintaining fire apparatus and equipment. While these activities are hardly glamorous or exciting, they are crucial to the overall mission of the department. Daily and weekly operational checks and inventory serve dual purposes, both ensuring the department is prepared and familiarizing all personnel with operations and equipment. Maintenance of fire stations and grounds is also time consuming but important.  Training, both formal and informal, takes place all year long through company-level, shift-level and specialized training requirements.