RYAN GILLESPIE, EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION CHIEF

Emergency Operations (EOPS) are PF&R’s primary mission and the most critical service we provide to the community. It is the primary means by which the Bureau saves lives and property for the people who live, work, and visit here. Sections within EOPS include:

Emergency Response
Engines, aerial trucks, command staff, and a variety of specialized apparatus are quartered throughout the city to provide emergency response to the community.

Hazardous Materials
PF&R’s Hazardous Materials Coordinator and Team comprise one of nine state-wide hazardous materials response units. Personnel are specially trained to operate equipment and respond with technical expertise to all types of hazardous materials incidents.

Special Operations
Highly trained firefighters and specialized equipment mitigate problems in the Marine Program, Land-based Shipboard Firefighting Unit, the HazMat Team, Dive Team, and Technical Rescue Team.

Bureau of Emergency Communications Liaisons
PF&R has a liaison on duty each day that works out of the 911 Center to coordinate coverage for our Fire Management Areas. At times, stations may need to go out of service for mandatory drills and trainings and it is necessary for the liaison to ensure adequate coverage for all of PF&R’s stations.

Battalion Headquarters
Battalion Headquarters is responsible for ensuring that PF&R has a minimum number of required personnel on hand each day to meet its 24/7 staffing requirements for all stations and apparatus.

Emergency Management
This section provides first-hand emergency response experience by offering expertise in management planning and exercise development. PBEM performs a key liaison role with government agencies to help train and develop Emergency Coordination Center responders.