Operations Bureau
545 N. Huron
Toledo, OH 43604
Phone: 419-936-3507
Fax: 419-245-1296
Deputy Chief Gary Martin
gary.martin@toledo.oh.gov
The Operations Bureau manages Field Operations, Fleet Maintenance, Investigative Services, and the Safety Section. The Bureau schedules all shift personnel, assigning vacation and Kelly Days, distributes and tracks bids, and compiles various statistical reports. The Annual Response Review, yearly goal cards, and various other reports.
FIELD OPERATIONS SECTION
Field Operations personnel are deployed under a "platoon" system. This system consists of three platoons - A, B, and C. A member assigned to a platoon works 24 hours on-duty and is off-duty for 48 hours. The platoon is divided into three Battalions - 1, 2, and 3. Each Battalion is supervised by a Battalion Chief. Additionally, the Senior Battalion Chief is responsible for citywide staffing and activities.
General responsibility for each engine, heavy squad and truck company lies with either a Fire Lieutenant or Captain. Along with emergency work, company responsibilities include building and district programs, training, familiarization, and general maintenance of fire station grounds, structures, emergency apparatus, and equipment.
The minimum daily staffing level is 103 Firefighters and Officers. The City is protected by 17 fire stations, which utilize 4 trucks and 17 engines, 5 rescue units, 2 heavy squads, and various other specialty emergency apparatus.
FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT
The Fire Investigation Unit is charged with the responsibility to investigate the origin, cause, and circumstances of undetermined, incendiary, suspicious fire, bombings, and bomb threats, along with all fires where serious injury or death related to fire occur, and share in the responsibility of the issuance of permits and safety of pyrotechnic displays, in accordance with the laws of the City of Toledo and the State of Ohio.
To report a suspected arson in Toledo, please call 245-1131. Rewards are often paid for information leading to the identification and successful prosecution of persons perpetrating the crime of arson. These rewards are paid through the CRIMESTOPPERS PROGRAM or the Ohio Blue Ribbon Arson Committee. Information can lead to rewards of up to $5,000.00.
INSPECTIONS BUREAU
The responsibilities of this Bureau include enforcing the provisions of the International Fire Code and part 15 of the Toledo Muncipal Code. Inspectors perform 5,500 inspections annually.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL UNIT
This unit is dispatched to all hazardous material and confined space incidents within the City limits and in adjacent mutual-aid communities in Ohio and Michigan. The unit utilizes a 34' long 1991 Ford/Hesse truck.
WATER RESCUE
The Water Rescue Unit is housed at Station 5 and provides services all year long. The dive team is proficient in responding to water-related accidents including drownings, bodies in the water, disabled boats, suicide attempts on the bridges, and retrieving vehicles.
FIRE BOAT
The fire boat is in service during the normal summer boating season. The responsibilities of the fire boat include assisting the dive water rescue crew, responding to fires along the water front, standing by at fireworks, regattas and other activities along the river, responding to boat fires, and assisting the Police and the Coast Guard for injuries happening on boats.
CONFINED SPACE RESCUE UNIT
The Department's newest specialty. This unit is housed at Station 18 and currently is staffed by members assigned to Stations 17 and 18. The unit is involved in site visits and training in those industries and city government facilities where there is a likelihood of a confined space incident.