Home | About AFD | Divisions/Offices | Emergency Response | Recruiting | Hiring Process | News
Directory | Fire Safety Information | Fire Code/Inspections | Request for Services | Links

The Austin Fire Department’s Medical Operations Section was established to meet the demands of AFD’s ever-expanding medical response role. As the first responder to all advanced life support emergencies within the City of Austin — approximately 60 percent of AFD’s call volume — firefighters have become a critical component in Austin’s pre-hospital care system. Because of the strategic location of fire stations, firefighters often arrive on scene before an ambulance and can begin patient assessment and stabilization. All AFD firefighters are certified as EMT-Basic as a minimum.

AFD’s Medical Operations Section is headed by a battalion chief, and includes a captain, two lieutenants, and a firefighter. The staff is charged with the tasks of providing initial medical training and continuing education for all uniformed personnel; obtaining emergency care equipment such as the automated external defibrillators and glucose monitoring devices; overseeing AFD’s commitment to quality medical care standards; and enhancing the partnership with Austin Emergency Medical Services. Medical Operations personnel also teach AFD cadets for two months of the training academy, and monitors state requirements set forth by the Texas Department of Health to ensure AFD firefighters are in compliance with any changes in requirements.

The Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is a separate City department whose paramedics can start IVs and transport patients to health care facilities by ambulance or by helicopter. AFD, EMS and Travis County share a medical director, Dr. Ed Racht.