Divisions & Organization

Battalion chief

In the fire department hierarchy, a Battalion Chief is the third in command. The Battalion Chief is the person responsible for managing daily operations and individual members in their shifts or crews. When on shift, they coordinate emergency responses, secure the fire scene, and supervise the fire Captains and Lieutenants who handle individual groups of Firefighters.

Fire marshal

The Fire Marshal is responsible for a wide range of duties:

• Enforces the State-regulated burn ban
• Fire inspections for:
  • Annual inspections, conducted daily for businesses located within the City limits
  • Arson Investigation
  • Citizen complaints
  • Fire alarm inspections
  • Fire sprinkler inspections
  • Kitchen hood inspections
  • New construction or remodeling, conducted during various phases of construction
  • Site inspections
• Preconstruction plan review, including all building plans, fire alarm plans, and sprinkler plans
• Enforces other city ordinances pertaining to the Fire Department

Operations division

The Deputy Chief is the second in command and heads the Operations Division. The Operations Division is the Gainesville Fire Department's largest unit. It includes three shifts of firefighters who cover the City's territory at all times - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This division also supervises Training and Development.

Staff & Responsibility

Fire Operations consists of shift firefighters and officers on the Department's fire engines, ladder trucks, as well as rescue and various support vehicles. These firefighters' primary responsibility is providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical service to the Gainesville community.

Support Services Division

• Grant / File Management
• Hose and Hydrant Testing and Documentation
• ISO Documentation and Inspection Coordination
• Managing the GSAR TF1 program and currently serves as the Task Force Leader
• Purchasing
• Responding on incidents involving technical rescue or hazardous materials
• Serves as the Public Information Officer
• Special Event Coordination

Training and professional development

The office of Training and Professional Development is charged with maintaining its training hours to keep its prestigious ISO Class 1 rating and meeting the requirements to maintain its outstanding Medical First Response.

Organizational chart