District of Columbia Firefighter and Emergency Services Training Summary

The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) is an all-hazards agency providing emergency medical care and transportation (EMS), fire suppression, fire prevention, hazardous material response, and technical rescue services to residents and visitors in the District of Columbia. FEMS resources are deployed from 33 neighborhood fire stations and include 37 EMS transport units, 33 engine companies, 16 ladder trucks, three heavy-rescue squads, one hazardous materials unit, and one fire boat company. 17 of these transport units and 19 of these engine companies are staffed by paramedics providing advanced life support (ALS) care. FEMS responds to over 150,000 incidents a year, an average of 421 a day. Per the IFSAC website, the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has many accredited disciplines including: Driver operator (aerial, ARFF, pumper, and tiller), EMS hazardous materials, firefighter I and firefighter II, fire officer I and fire officer II, fire instructor I and II, fire safety officer, and hazardous materials (awareness, operations, and technician levels).