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Closest Fire Station
To learn where the closest first station is to a residence, view the Map of AFD Stations or call AFD Headquarters during regular business hours (7:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.) at (512) 974-0130.

Fire Drills/Evacuation
The Austin Fire Department will help organizations that wish to create a building evacuation plan or to conduct a fire drill. AFD will meet with representatives to help establish a plan, provide advice on the most effective means of evacuation, or actually stand by during a staged fire drill. Call the Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290 for more information.

Fire Safety House
The Fire Safety House is a mobile replica of a two-story family dwelling built on a trailer and transported to schools and community events. It is staffed by two firefighters who make fire safety presentations on each level of the house that culminate in an actual home evacuation drill. The Fire Safety House can be reserved at least a month in advance for major events with an expected attendance of at least 250 people. It is most appropriate for elementary school-aged children. For set-up it requires a fairly level and accessible area at least 40 x 20 feet in size. To schedule the Fire Safety House, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290.

Fire Truck Appearances
The Austin Fire Department will send a fire apparatus (engine or ladder truck) to public events such as parades or festivals upon request, as availability allows. Attendance of at least 50 people is required. Please provide at least two weeks advance notice so that an apparatus can be scheduled. AFD does not send fire trucks to individual residences. Firefighters can explain features of the apparatus, talk about the job of firefighting, and provide safety information. They generally have stickers available for children and fire safety pamphlets for adults who request them. To schedule an apparatus, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290.

Free Smoke Alarms
Free Smoke Alarms: The AFD Public Education Office will provide a free smoke alarm to Austin families that cannot afford them. The only requirements are that the resident owns and resides in the home, that the home does not currently have a smoke alarm or it is more than 10 years old, and that the combined family income is less than $42,000. Call the Smoke Alarm Hotline at (512) 974-0299 to make a request or for more information. Home Hazard Assessments: Citizens can do a home hazard assessment of their homes by following the checklist provided (http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/fire/hazardcheck.htm). Anyone who needs assistance with this process should call AFD at (512) 974-0290.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Home Hazard Assessments

Hydrant Reporting/Testing
For hydrant location information, call the Water/Wastewater Utility Maps and Records Division at (512) 972-0270. To report a hydrant that leaks or needs some other type of repair, contact the Water/Wastewater’s Utility Dispatch at (512) 972-1000. To report a hydrant that needs to be painted, call (512) 972-1208.

For assistance in obtaining hydrant flow testing information for a construction project or for a fire sprinkler system water supply, please call (512) 974-0197 or download the the Hydrant Flow Test request form (Adobe Acrobrat is required). Fax the completed form to the AFD Prevention Office at (512) 974-0162.

For properties that have private hydrants, see the list of private hydrant contractors.

Incident Reports

Inspection Scheduling

Patch Requests
In the wake of security changes after 9/11, we will be happy to send you a patch if you meet the following criteria: (1) A current or former firefighter who can produce a copy of his/her department-issued identification; or (2) An immediate family member of a current or former firefighter who can produce a copy of their relative’s department-issued identification. If you meet this criteria, please send a copy of the ID to: Bertie Garcia, Austin Fire Department, 4201 Ed Bluestein, Austin, TX 78721 (one patch per person/address/request). Please allow 2-4 weeks for delivery of patch.

Recycle Bins
Austin fire stations no longer carry blue recycling bins. The City is moving to single-stream recycling, which will eliminate the need for the blue bins. For more information, please call 3-1-1.

Safety Presentations/Speakers Bureau
Firefighters can do a presentation on fire safety, a career in firefighting, or a related topic of at the request of the group through the AFD Speakers Bureau. Speakers Bureau consists of about 50 firefighters who have expressed an interest in representing the department as a guest speaker at various functions. To arrange an AFD Speakers Bureau member to visit a group function, simply contact the AFD Public Education Office by e-mailing FirePubEd@ci.austin.tx.us or calling (512) 974-0290. A minimum group size of 25 is required. It is recommended that speakers be requested at least two weeks before the event. This is a free service of the Austin Fire Department.

Upon request, AFD also will participate in local health fairs or expositions with an exhibition booth. A firefighter will staff the booth, which features a static display highlighting AFD actions and fire and life safety, and be available to answer questions.

For information on fire and life safety presentations to Austin area schools including day care facilites, see School Visits.

School Presentations
Firefighters visit schools within the Austin service area to deliver a message on fire and life safety; the presentations are divided into three separate formats targeted at specific age groups. All age groups are taught the dangers of playing with fire, what to do in case of a fire, and the importance of smoke detectors. Early childhood, kindergarten and second-grade classes are taught fire safety and tour an actual fire truck. First- and third-graders visit the Fire Safety House, a mobile replica of a two-story family dwelling built on a trailer and transported to schools and community events, where they complete an actual home evacuation drill. Fourth- and fifth-graders play Fire and Life Safety Bingo, which reinforces messages about proper fire safety techniques, and introduces students to first aid, cooking safety and arson awareness.

Firefighters also will schedule visits to local day care facilities upon request. They share basic fire safety information with children and show them the fire engine and what a firefighter looks like in bunker (firefighting) gear. The presentation focuses on teaching children that firefighters are their friends, not to play with matches and lighters, and how to safely exit the home in case of fire.

To schedule a presentation, e-mail FirePubEd@ci.austin.tx.us or call the AFD Public Education Office.

Station Visits
AFD will accompany visits to fire stations for small groups. Although no minimum number of visitors is required, this service is provided most often to scout troops and school groups. Normal hours for station visits are 9-11 a.m. and 1-6 p.m. Visitors are provided with a station tour, then can view the fire apparatus and ask firefighters questions about their job, fire safety, station and the Austin Fire Department. To arrange a station tour, contact the AFD Public Education Office at (512) 974-0290 to schedule at least a week in advance.

Surplus Equipment
Surplus Equipment Disposal Procedure
Surplus Equipment Disposal Flowchart
Registration Form to Obtain Surplus Equipment
Authorization Form to Obtain Surplus Equipment