Fire Suppression Roles & Responsibilities

Photo courtesy of Keven Smith

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department is a paramilitary organization operating under a "Chain Of Command".

Senior Staff
The Fire Chief, Assistant Chiefs and Deputy Chiefs work normal business hours and are on 24-hour call for any incidents which demand their attention.

• Fire Chief
  The Fire Chief is the Administrative Officer of the entire Fire-Rescue Organization. The Fire Chief reports to the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Public Safety/Homeland Security
   
  
• Assistant Chief and Deputy Chief
  The Assistant and Deputy Chiefs assist in the administration of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and direct the operation of a division within the organization. The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has 2 Assistant Chiefs and 5 Deputy Chiefs overseeing Operations, Training, Emergency Medical Services, Fire & Hazard Prevention Services, Special Operations, and Support Services. . Additionally, the Chief of Lifeguard Services is part of the Fire-Rescue Department.

• Deputy Chief - Shift Commander
  Each of the three Shift Commanders oversees all field operations during the course of their twenty-four hour shift. The Shift Commanders report to the Assistant Chief of Operations and the Deputy Chief of Operations.
   
  
• Battalion Chief
  A Battalion Chief supervises a Battalion of approximately 6 to 7 stations, 35 to 40 firefighters and coordinates fire suppression activities within a designated geographical area. Battalion Chiefs act as incident commanders at large scale incidents. The Battalion Chiefs report to the Deputy Chief - Shift Commanders.
   
  
• Captain
  Under the direction of a Battalion Chief, the Captain is in command of a Station or a single Fire Company (a Fire Company is an individual piece of equipment such as a fire engine or a fire truck.) The Captain is in charge of day-to-day activities at his or her station, which may include inspections, in-service training or community education events. At a fire, medical or other emergency the Captain directs the operations of his or her crew.
   
  
• Engineer
  Under the direction of the Captain, A Fire Engineer operates and maintains fire apparatus and associated equipment. Engineers are responsible for the safe delivery of fire crews to and from emergencies.
   
  
• Firefighter
  Under the direction of a Captain, a firefighter performs routine station maintenance. At the scene of a fire, firefighters are directly responsible for rescue and extinguishment of the fire. At medical calls, which make up 80% of total responses, firefighters are directly involved in patient care.
   
  
• Fire Recruit
  Fire Recruits attend a fire academy lasting approximately three months. During the academy, recruits learn fire, rescue and medical techniques. Upon completion of the academy, recruits are assigned to a fire station as probationary firefighters.