Houston Fire Department

City of Houston Fire Department (HFD) is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Houston, Texas, United States, the fourth largest city in the United States. HFD is responsible for preserving life and property for a population of more than 2 million in an area totaling 654 square miles (1,690 km2).[3] The department is the largest fire department (by number of personnel) in the state of Texas.[4]

Houston Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State Texas
City Houston
Address1801 Smith St, 77002
Agency overview[1]
Established1838 (1838)
Annual calls341,166 (2017)
Employees3,700+ (2018)
Annual budget$495,171,980 (2018)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefSamuel Peña
EMS levelAdvanced Life Support (ALS)
IAFFIAFF Local 341
MottoCourage, Commitment, & Compassion
Facilities and equipment[1][2]
Stations93 Fire Stations
Engines88 Engine Companies
Trucks38 Truck Companies
Rescues3 Rescue Units
Ambulances
HAZMAT3 Hazardous Materials Units
Airport crash12 Crash Trucks
Wildland11 Wildland Units
Helicopters1 Helicopter
Fireboats1 Fireboat
Rescue boats13 Rescue Boats
Light and air3 Light and Air Units
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The administrative offices of HFD are located on the 7th floor of 1801 Smith Street (a part of the Cullen Center) in Downtown Houston.[5] They were previously located at the City of Houston Fire Department Logistical Center & Maintenance Depot.[6]

The Houston Fire Department got its start in 1838 with one station known as Protection Company No. 1.[1] By 1859, the volunteer department had grown to three stations. After 57 years of service, Houston converted the department over to all paid members.[1]

Notable Incidents

Southwest Inn Fire
Main article: Southwest Inn fire

On May 31, 2013, the Southwest Inn fire broke out in an Indian restaurant in Southwest Houston before spreading to an adjoining hotel. The fire claimed the biggest casualty loss for the Houston Fire Department since its inception. Four firefighters were killed and 13 others were injured while fighting the five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn.[7] "Iron" Bill Dowling, who lost his legs and damaged his brain in the fire, died in Colorado on March 7, 2017, after a short hospitalization for pneumonia and cellulitis, attributed to his injuries.[8]

2016 Houston Fire

After the spreading of a backyard fire in Spring Branch, Houston, Texas, a packaging warehouse burned down during a four-alarm fire which included exploding canisters of hazardous material. Nearly 200 firefighters were dispatched to the site over several hours. As of May 2016, the initial cause of the fire remains unknown.[9][10]

1979 Woodway Square Apartment Fire

Late in the afternoon of July 31, 1979, a call came in for an apartment fire at the Woodway Square Apartments in Houston. First units arriving immediately started calling for help as the high winds were fanning flames across the wood shingle roofs. Flames were jumping building to building and embers were entering the neighborhoods igniting roofs.

In all 7 alarms were called for which included equipment backed into Houston Fire stations from Cy-Fair, Little York and Northwest Volunteer Fire Departments.

Hundreds lost everything they owned. At one point it was discussed using explosives to demolish one building to make a fire break. As firefighters worked on controlling the apartment fire, booster trucks were tasked with driving through the neighborhoods extinguishing spot fires on roofs of homes.

On the day of the fire, the Houston Fire Department requested the city to ban wood shingles. They refused but the day after the fire they decided to ban them. In that day and age, most new homes had wood shingles and they were required by homeowners associations

Stations and Apparatus

Below is a listing of all Houston Fire Department fire stations and their assigned apparatus.[2]

Fire Station Number Address Engine Company Ladder Company or Tower Company Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Transport Medic Unit Emergency Medical Services (EMS)Transport Ambulance Special Unit District Chief Unit District
2 5880 WoodwayEngine 2Ambulance 2Cascade Unit 228
3 3735 W. AlabamaEngine 3Medic 3 Ambulance 50328
4 6530 W. Little YorkEngine 4Ladder 4Ambulance 4District Chief 44
5 2020 HollisterEngine 5Ambulance 5High-Water Vehicle 5 District Chief 55
6 3402 WashingtonEngine 6Tower 6Medic 6 District Chief 66
7 1402 ElginEngine 7Ladder 7Ambulance 78
8 1919 LouisianaEngine 1
Engine 8		Squad 8Ambulance 8 Ambulance 508Mobile Command Unit, AMBUS 8, Rehab 8District Chief 88
9 702 HoganEngine 9Medic 9 Ambulance 919
10 6600 CorporateEngine 10Medic 10 Ambulance 10Rescue 10, 2 Rescue Boats83
11 460 T.C. JesterEngine 11Ambulance 11Heavy Rescue 11, Evacuation Boat, 2 Rescue Boats, EMS District Chief6
12 1502 AlberEngine 12Ambulance 1219
13 2215 W. 43rdEngine 13Ambulance 1331
15 5306 N. MainEngine 15Ambulance 15Shift Commander 15, Cascade Unit 15, Sr. EMS Supervisor 156
16 1700 RichmondEngine 16Ladder 16Ambulance 16EMS Supervisor 166
17 2805 NavigationEngine 17Medic 17 Ambulance 17Rehab Unit, Rescue Boat, EMS Supervisor 178
18 619 TelephoneEngine 18Tower 18Medic 18Ambulance 1820
19 1801 GreggEngine 19Ladder 19Medic 19Ambulance 19District Chief 1919
20 6902 NavigationEngine 20Ladder 20Ambulance 20District Chief 2020
21 10515 MainEngine 21Tower 21Ambulance 21High-Water Vehicle 21 District Chief 2121
22 7825 HarrisburgHMRT Unit 1, HMRT Unit 2 Foam 2222
23 8005 LawndaleEngine 23Ambulance 23Cascade Unit 2320
24 2625 Reed RdHaz-Mat Engine 24Medic 24 Ambulance 524Safety Officer 2446
25 3902 ScottEngine 25Ambulance 258
26 7111 DixieEngine 26Ladder 26Ambulance 26District Chief 2626
27 6515 LyonsEngine 27Medic 27Ambulance 2719
28 3000 Chimney RockEngine 28Ladder 28Squad 28Ambulance 28District Chief 2828
29 4831 GalvestonEngine 29Ladder 29Medic 29 26
30 6702 IrvingtonEngine 30Ambulance 30Safety Officer 30, EMS Supervisor 3031
31 222 W. CrosstimbersEngine 31Ladder 31Medic 31Ambulance 31District Chief 3131
32 8614 TidwellEngine 32Ambulance 32Booster 32, Evacuation Boat34
33 7117 FanninEngine 33Ladder 33Squad 33Ambulance 33 Ambulance 533Sr. EMS Supervisor 3321
34 3100 Laura KoppeEngine 34Ladder 34Medic 34Ambulance 34District Chief 3434
35 5535 Van FleetEngine 35Ambulance 35Booster 35, Evacuation Boat46
36 7720 Airport BlvdEngine 36Medic 36 Ambulance 36EMS Supervisor 36 26
37 7026 Stella LinkEngine 37Ambulance 37Shift Commander, High-Water Vehicle 3721
38 1120 SilberEngine 38Ladder 38Ambulance 385
39 5810 PickfairEngine 39Ambulance 3934
40 5830 Old Spanish TrailEngine 40Medic 40 Ambulance 4026
41 805 PearlEngine 41Ambulance 4145
42 8675 Clinton DrEngine 42Rescue 42, Evacuation Boat, 2 Rescue Boats20
43 7330 N. WaysideEngine 43Medic 43 34
44 675 MaxeyEngine 44Ladder 44Medic 44 45
45 4910 N. McCartyEngine 45Ladder 45High-Water Vehicle 45 District Chief 4545
46 3902 CorderEngine 46Ladder 46Squad 46Ambulance 46District Chief 4646
47 2615 TidewaterEngine 47Ambulance 4759
48 11616 Chimney RockEngine 48Ambulance 4859
49 1212 GessnerEngine 49Medic 49 5
50 4420 BingleEngine 50Medic 50 EMS Supervisor 504
51 6902 BellaireEngine 51Ladder 51Ambulance 5168
52 10343 HartsookEngine 52Ambulance 5270
53 13349 VicksburgEngine 5345
54 George Bush
Intercontinental Airport		AR-8ARFF UnitsARFF
55 11212 CullenEngine 55Ladder 55Medic 55 Ambulance 5546
56 5820 E. Little YorkEngine 56Ladder 56Medic 56 Ambulance 5634
57 13602 MemorialEngine 57Safety Officer 5778
58 10413 FultonEngine 58Medic 58 Ambulance 58High-Water Vehicle 58 31
59 13925 S. Post OakEngine 59Ladder 59Medic 59 District Chief 5959
60 2925 JeanettaEngine 60Medic 60 Ambulance 6028
61 9726 MonroeEngine 61Ladder 6170
62 1602 SeamistEngine 62Medic 62 6
63 5626 Will Clayton PkwyHaz-Mat Engine 63Medic 63 Booster 63, Evacuation Boat64
64 3000 Greens RdEngine 64Tower 64Ambulance 64District Chief 6464
65 11531 FM 1960 EastEngine 65Medic 65 Booster 65, Fire Boat 65102
66 5800 TeagueHaz-Mat Engine 66Booster 66, Evacuation Boat, HMRT Unit 34
67 1616 W. Little YorkEngine 67Ladder 67Medic 67 Ambulance 674
68 8602 BissonnetEngine 68Ladder 68Medic 68Ambulance 68 District Chief 6868
69 1102 West Belt SouthEngine 69Tower 69Ambulance 69EMS Supervisor 6983
70 11410 BeamerEngine 70Medic 70 District Chief 7070
71 15200 Space CenterEngine 71Ladder 71Medic 71 High-Water Vehicle 71 District Chief 7171
72 17401 Saturn LnEngine 72Medic 72 71
73 9640 WilcrestEngine 73Medic 73Ambulance 73 Ambulance 57368
74 460 Aldine BenderEngine 74Medic 74 Ambulance 7464
75 1995 Dairy AshfordEngine 75Ladder 75Medic 75 78
76 7200 CookEngine 76Ladder 76Ambulance 7683
77 10155 KempwoodEngine 77Ladder 77Ambulance 77Booster 77, Rescue Boat5
78 15100 MemorialEngine 78Ladder 78Medic 78 High-Water Vehicle 78 District Chief 7878
80 16111 Chimney RockEngine 80Medic 80 Ambulance 80Booster 80, Evacuation Boat59
81 William P. Hobby AirportARFF UnitsARFF
82 11250 BraesridgeHaz-Mat Engine 82Squad 82Ambulance 82Evacuation Boat 82, EMS Supervisor 8268
83 3350 BreezewoodEngine 83Medic 83Ambulance 83District Chief 8383
84 320 Gears RdEngine 84Ladder 84Ambulance 84High-Water Vehicle 84 64
86 14300 Briar ForestEngine 86Medic 86 78
90 16553 Park RowEngine 90Ladder 90Ambulance 9078
92 George Bush
Intercontinental Airport		ARFF UnitsARFF
93 911 FM 1959Engine 93Ladder 93Ambulance 93Booster 93, Evacuation Boat70
94 235 El DoradoEngine 94Medic 94 71
96 7409 WillowchaseEngine 96Ladder 96Medic 964
99 George Bush
Intercontinental Airport		ARFF UnitsARFF
101 1863 Kingwood DrLadder 101Medic 101Booster 101, Evacuation Boat102
102 4102 W. Lake Houston PkwyEngine 102Ladder 102Medic 102High-Water Vehicle 102 District Chief 102102
103 2907 High Valley DrEngine 103Booster 103, Evacuation Boat102
104 910 Forest Cove DrEngine 104102
105 14014 W. Lake Houston PkwyEngine 105Medic 105102

In 2018 there was a post-Hurricane Harvey plan to replace fire station 104 for $11 million.[11]

  • Houston Fire Station Nr. 3 from the 1800s. It's on the National Register of Historic Places
    Houston Fire Station Nr. 3 from the 1800s. It's on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Houston Fire Station No. 7 was built in 1898. Today it's the Houston Fire Museum & on the National Register of Historic Places
    Houston Fire Station No. 7 was built in 1898. Today it's the Houston Fire Museum & on the National Register of Historic Places
  • Group photo of firefighters from Station 1–1932
    Group photo of firefighters from Station 1–1932
  • Continental Center II (1801 Smith) of the Cullen Center houses the HFD administrative offices
    Continental Center II (1801 Smith) of the Cullen Center houses the HFD administrative offices
  • City of Houston Fire Department Logistical Center & Maintenance Depot
    City of Houston Fire Department Logistical Center & Maintenance Depot
  • HFD Firefighters' Memorial in northern Houston
    HFD Firefighters' Memorial in northern Houston
  • Fire Station 3
    Fire Station 3
  • Fire Station 7
    Fire Station 7
  • Fire Station 8
    Fire Station 8
  • Fire Station 16
    Fire Station 16
  • Fire Station 18
    Fire Station 18
  • Fire Station 25
    Fire Station 25
  • Fire Station 28 at 3000 Chimney Rock
    Fire Station 28 at 3000 Chimney Rock
  • Fire Station 33
    Fire Station 33
  • Braeswood Place
    Braeswood Place

References
  1. "About the HFD". Houston Fire Department. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  2. "Fire Stations". Houston Fire Department. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  3. "HFD Coverage Area".
  4. "Regulated departments by size". Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
  5. "Contact Us." Houston Fire Department, City of Houston. Retrieved on June 13, 2017. "HFD Administration 832.394.6700 600 Jefferson, 7th Floor Houston, Texas 77002"
  6. "Home Page." Houston Fire Department. Retrieved on November 20, 2011. "HFD Administration HFD Administration 1801 Smith Street, 7th Floor 77002"
  7. Pinkerton, James; Lezon, Dale (1 June 2013). "Massive blaze in SW Houston kills 4 firefighters". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2013-06-01. "It was the department's worst loss of life ever."
  8. "HFD hero 'Iron Bill' Dowling has died", by Keri Blakinger and Brooke A. Lewis, The Houston Chronicle
  9. "Four-alarm fire burns at business in west Houston". www.msn.com.
  10. "4-Alarm Fire Ravages West Houston Warehouse Complex". ABC News.
  11. Morris, Mike (2018-06-18). "Want Houston to fix your street, park or library? Harvey may delay the job". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-12-28.
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