Fire Suppression

The Fire Suppression Division of our Fire Department is composed of firefighters who are assigned to shift work at one of the city's 3 fire stations. At full strength, each of the 3 shifts ( A , B , C ) is comprised of 6 Fire Officers,  5 Chauffeur / Drivers and approximately 3 Firefighters. The Fire Officers report to the Assistant Chief, who directs the day-to-day activities of the division and serves as department head in the absence of the Fire Chief.

While one of the primary goals of the Fire Suppression Division continues to be the provision of quality emergency response services, our priorities have expanded in recent years to the areas of education, prevention, and preparedness. In addition to their fire operations/rescue responsibilities, fire companies engage in the following programs and activities.

When we Respond to a  Call

Why do Fire Engines Respond to Emergency Medical Calls?

Emergency Medical Program

This program involves a fire company response to almost all emergency medical calls within the city limits for the purpose of providing basic medical or advanced life support treatment before an ambulance arrives. Under most circumstances, fire apparatus can respond to a medical emergency much quicker than an ambulance, simply because there are three fire companies in three strategically-located fire stations throughout the city, as opposed to one ambulance station. Patients receiving timely basic life support or advanced life support have a greater probability of surviving life threatening conditions, which makes this program one of the department's most effective and rewarding activities. Our department responded to over 1,340 medical emergencies in 2007.

Target Hazard Analysis Program

Through this program, each business and place of assembly within the city limits is pre-planned semi-annually by a fire company in its district. Each firefighter is assigned an area of responsibility within the city, and is required to maintain a target hazard file for each business within that area. Fire companies conducting the target hazard analysis program remain available for emergency response while engaged in this activity.

Fire Hydrant Testing

Since 1980, the Fire Department has been responsible for the semi-annual inspection and testing of the city's approximately 600 fire hydrants. The department also maintains records on the current condition and water pressure of each hydrant. Please make sure our fire hydrants have a three foot area clear of debris and obstructions. Firefighters may need to get to the hydrant for water supply. An obstruction of fencing, tree branches, bushes, weeds or brush may cause a delay as firefighters try to get water to extinguish a fire. Someone may be injured or killed because water is not available as soon as possible. A fire hydrant that is leaking, broken, missing caps or malfunctioning should be reported to the

Pineville Water Department at (318) 449-5670.

Please don't block our fire hydrant's by parking a vehicle next to it. Vehicles cannot be parked any closer than 15 feet to a fire hydrant from any direction. Remember, your actions may cause a delay in being able to supply water to an emergency that continues to grow until intervention takes place.