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AFD responded to about 70,000 calls for help in 2005; approximately 65-70 percent were emergency medical calls. AFD is the critical first responder in the City's emergency medical services system, which includes Austin EMS and local hospitals. All Austin firefighters are trained to the minimum certification of Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and every fire engine is equipped with an automated defibrillator to provide quick assistance to patients suffering cardiac arrest.

Firefighters also are trained and equipped with the "jaws of life" to rescue patients trapped or pinned in from accidents involving vehicles or heavy machinery. In addition to fires and medical calls, AFD responds to hazardous materials alarms, water rescues, confined space and high-angle rescues and aircraft emergencies. While all Austin firefighters are trained to assist with all types of calls, AFD has specialty teams that have additional training and certification.

The following is an example of AFD's response to an emergency call.

1. Dispatcher receives a call for help.
   A computer assists dispatchers in selecting the closest unit(s) to respond to the emergency.
   For every suspected structure fire, at least seven units are dispatched: three engines, two trucks, one rescue unit and one battalion chief.


2. Firefighters respond to the incident.
   Dispatch relays available information about the building and its occupants to units enroute.
   Firefighters are briefed on the presence of chemicals or other combustible materials, the special needs of occupants (wheelchairs, etc.) and whether anyone is suspected of being inside.
   The first-in unit will give a visual summary upon arrival, then continue to let other units know what actions firefighter on that unit are taking.


3. A plan of attack is established.
   The first-in officer establishes Incident Command (IC). As higher-ranking officers arrive, each takes command until the first battalion chief assumes IC. If the incident is in a large structure or area, the IC may divide the scene geographically into "sectors."
   Firefighters focus first on search and rescue of possible victims. After that, firefighters protect unburned areas and control the spread of the fire before actually trying to extinguish the blaze.
   The Community Services Group serves as a liaison between AFD and citizens affected by the incident. The primary responsibility of the CSG is attending to victims' immediate needs, such as medical attention, alternative shelter or counseling.
   Tarps (salvage covers) are used whenever possible to protect furniture and other belongings in unburned areas from smoke and water damage. Salvage operations also may involve the removal of valuable items from a structure, if possible.
   To ventilate the structure, holes may be cut in the roof or windows may be broken to reduce smoke and heat, enabling firefighters to more quickly locate and extinguish the fire.
   If conditions make it too dangerous to wage an offensive, interior attack, the IC may opt for a defensive strategy by withdrawing firefighters and containing the fire from the outside.


4. Additional alarms are called, if necessary.
   The Incident Commander decides whether more equipment and firefighters are needed. If more resources are needed, additional alarms may be called. A second alarm results in a total of 16 firefighting units at the scene and a third alarm will add four more units. Each subsequent alarm will add two engines and one truck company to the scene. External factors such as extreme heat may contribute to a quicker decision being made to sound additional alarms so that relief personnel will be available.
   The IC may change as other companies arrive, going up the chain of command as the incident escalates until the fire is out. As the incident de-escalated, the IC will change again, going back down the chain of command.


5. Support services are provided.
   The Community Services Group serves as a liaison between AFD and citizens affected by the incident. The primary responsibility of the CSG is attending to victims' immediate needs, such as medical attention, alternative shelter or counseling.
   A Public Information Office (PIO) is designated at major emergency scenes to assist media. That individual acts as a liaison between media and the IC to provide updated information and coordinate requests for interviews.
   A representative from AFD's Air Shops maintains firefighters' breathing equipment. Fresh airpacks are provided and SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) are serviced.
   For incidents involving hazardous materials, a hazmat engineer responds and serves in an advisory capacity to the IC.


6. Companies are moved to other stations to cover "holes" in service areas.
   During a large incident, all of the companies in a certain area of the city may be at that alarm. To ensure that every area of Austin has coverage at any given time, AFD has a computer-assisted system that helps dispatchers direct companies to fill in or "move up" to cover other stations.