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NFD Suppression Bureau


Suppression Bureau Chief	Deputy Chief Danny R. Yates heads the Suppression Bureau that includes 6 Assistant Chiefs, 26 District Chiefs, and 165 fire companies operating on three shifts with approximately 900 employees. The Bureau has six (6) divisions, Suppression Division, USAR/Technical Rescue Division, Special Hazards/Water Rescue Division, Health and Safety Division, Suppression Response Division, Research and Inventory Division and the Fire/Medical Operations Division.
Suppression Division	The Suppression Division Operates a total of 39 engine companies, 12 truck companies that respond to all fire and extrication calls, and 4 heavy rescues that respond to all fire incidents in their district and are specially trained in technical rescue and hazardous materials response. All companies respond to medical incidents with firefighters trained to a minimum level of EMT (emergency medical technician), and ten (10) engine companies are staffed with Paramedics for ALS (advanced life support) response.
USAR/Technical Rescue Division	The USAR/Technical Rescue Division is responsible for Urban Search and Rescue tasks, and all other rescue functions that are not water related. The USAR contingents of the Fire Department include two core groups. Each core group is managed by a District Chief. One engine company, one truck company, and two rescue companies make up a “Core” USAR group. A trench rescue equipment vehicle responds with either USAR Core Group. The four heavy rescue companies are trained in extrication, various forms of technical rescue including confined space, trench, building collapse and high angle rescue.
Special Hazards/Water Rescue Division	The Special Hazards/Water Rescue Division consists of two hazardous materials response teams, and water rescue. Each hazmat team consists of one engine company, one rescue company, one tactical foam unit, and eleven hazardous materials technicians per shift. The hazardous materials teams are trained and equipped to respond to Weapons of Mass Destruction events, and have extensive training in response to Bio-Terrorism. Water Rescue is responsible for surface/swift water rescue as well as dive rescue/recovery. This division is also responsible for Homeland Security preparedness.
Health and Safety Division	The Health and Safety Division consists of Risk Management, Exposure Control, Air Services, and Hydrant Services. The Health and Safety Division provides Risk Management covering Departmental accident investigations as well as Injured on Duty cases, and Exposure Control that deals with personnel exposures, immunizations, etc. for the entire Department. Air Services is responsible for all self-contained breathing apparatus including testing and repair of apparatus for all Departmental personnel. The Health and Safety Division is also responsible for the scheduling of all Physical assessments and the administering of the Physical Ability Testing in accordance with the NFPA 2000 Medical Standards.
Suppression Response Division	The Suppression Bureau is the largest bureau in the department with approximately 900 personnel. The Suppression Response Division has the responsibility for the placement and re-assignment of personnel within the bureau. This division is the liaison with the Nashville Fire Department Union dealing with bidding procedures. It keeps track of documentation and recording of the bid process, budgeted monies for regular overtime and special operations, maintains records of fire hall inspections and daily activity reports from supervisors. The division coordinates training with the Office of Emergency Management and The National Fire Academy in scheduling personnel for outside training.
Research and Inventory Division	The Research and Inventory Division is responsible for procurement of all equipment, apparatus, tools and supplies to carry out the bureau’s role in public safety. It reports directly to the Deputy Chief. This office is responsible for all fiscal affairs of the bureau, which include research, specifications, budget and accounting. It coordinates planning for the future with all divisions and bureaus throughout the department.
Fire/Medical Operations Division	The Fire/Medical Operations Division is responsible for all medical functions within the Suppression Bureau. The medical operations assistant chief acts as liaison to the medical director as well as quality assurance and training coordinator. He coordinates efforts for 90 advanced life support paramedics staffing 12 advanced life support engine companies and 800 emergency medical technicians staffing 43 basic life support companies.