CUTTING-EDGE TECH
Our Robotics Emergency Deployment (RED) Team is on the cutting edge of this technology...and you could be, too. We were the first fire department in the country to receive permission from the FAA to fly drones as part of emergency incident response. Cool gadgets + cutting-edge tech? That's #HotAFD.
Special Operations
These aren't your typical firefighting, medical emergencies, or rescue calls. When bigger incidents happen, members from our Special Operations' division are deployed to help. These individuals go through intense training in specialized disciplines—swiftwater rescue, hazardous materials response, and structural collapse, to name just a few—to provide this enhanced service to our citizens.
SOME LIKE IT HOT
Austin is well known for hosting some of the hottest and largest events in the world: ACL Fest, SXSW, F1, and more. You can find visitors from across the glove in our fair city on any given day. As first responders, it's up to us to ensure that everyone—both citizens and visitors alike—has a safe and enjoyable time in the Live Music Capital of the World.
Wildfire
Because fighting these types of fires is completely different, we were the first department in Texas to ensure all of our Operations' personnel have Basic Wildland Training. But not all fire is bad either, so we also teach you about prescribed burns—which are integral to maintaining the health of our ecosystems—and how we educate Austinites on preparing and protecting themselves from wildfire.
Arson
Arson is one of the most complicated and complex crimes to prove. And unlike most arson units that are part of police departments, our investigators are both firefighters and licensed peace officers. This means we can dedicate the time, expertise, and experience to solving these difficult cases; in fact, our investigators—including our Accelerant Detection Canines, Rae and Zsa Zsa—typically maintain a clearance rate (either by arrest or citation) well above the national average.
