Philadelphia Fire Department
The Philadelphia Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services (EMS) to the city of Philadelphia. The PFD's official mission is to protect public safety by quick and professional response to emergencies and through the promotion of sound emergency prevention measures. This mandate encompasses all traditional firefighting functions, including fire suppression, with 58 engine companies and 27 ladder companies as well as specialty and support units deployed throughout the city; specialized firefighting units for Philadelphia International Airport and the Port of Philadelphia; investigations conducted by the Fire Marshal's Office to determine the origins of fires and to develop preventive strategies; prevention programs to educate the public in order to increase overall fire safety; and support services such as: research and planning, management of the Fire Communications Center within the City's 911 system, and operation of the Fire Academy.
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| Motto: Dedication and Service | |
| Operational area | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| City | Philadelphia |
| Agency overview[1] | |
| Established | March 15, 1871 |
| Annual calls | 437,329 (2013) |
| Employees | 2700 |
| Staffing | Career |
| Commissioner | Adam Thiel |
| EMS level | ALS & BLS |
| IAFF | 22 |
| Facilities and equipment | |
| Divisions | 3 |
| Battalions | 13 |
| Stations | 63 |
| Engines | 58 |
| Trucks | 23 |
| Platforms | 4 |
| Squads | 2 |
| Rescues | 1 |
| Ambulances | 60 |
| HAZMAT | 2 |
| USAR | 1 |
| Airport crash | 10 |
| Wildland | 2 |
| Fireboats | 3 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
| IAFF website | |
The delivery of emergency medical services now generates more than seventy percent of the department's total calls for services. Furthermore, the department's Regional Emergency Medical Services Office is responsible for regulating all public and private ambulance services within the city. Lastly, the department enforces all state and federal hazardous materials (HAZMAT) regulations within the city, and coordinates the response to such incidents. The IAFF local is 22.[2]
The PFD is the largest fire department in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and also has the busiest Emergency Medical Services division in the United States with a single ambulance, Medic 2, responding to 8,788 calls in 2013 and Medic 8 responded to 9,011 calls in 2018.
History
One of the oldest established fire departments in the United States, the PFD traces its origins back to early volunteer companies, specifically the Union Fire Company, established on December 7, 1736.[3]
Ordinances of 1840, 1855, and 1856 established a City Fire Department which was a voluntary association of independent fire companies which, in return for subsidies, accepted the direction of City Councils.
An ordinance of 29 December 1870, established Philadelphia's first fully paid and municipally controlled fire department, administered by seven commissioners chosen by Councils. The PFD officially entered into service on 15 March 1871. In 1887 the commissioners were abolished and the department placed under the control of the Department of Public Safety as the Bureau of Fire in compliance with the 1885 Bullitt Bill[4] and enabling ordinance of 1886. The Fire Marshal, first appointed on 1864, was a member of the Bureau of Police until 1937 when his office was removed from it and placed directly under the Director of the Department of Public Safety. In 1950 it was transferred to the Bureau of Fire.[2]
The City Charter of 1951 abolished the Department of Public Safety and established the present Fire Department.[5] At that time its inspectorial duties were transferred to the Department of Licenses and Inspections. Investigation of the origin and cause of fires remains with the PFD fire marshal's office.
USAR Task Force 1
The Philadelphia Fire Department is the sponsoring agency for Urban Search and Rescue Pennsylvania Task Force 1 (PA-TF1), one of twenty-eight FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces in the nation and the only one in Pennsylvania.[6]
Operations
Fire station locations and apparatus
Below is a complete listing of all fire station, fire company, and medic unit locations in the city of Philadelphia along with their Division and Battalion.[7] There are three divisions in the department, division 1 consist of 5 battalions and 23 fire stations while division 2 has 4 battalions and 17 fire stations and division 3 has 4 battalions and 21 fire stations. In November 2019, the Department announced plans to staff and reinstate four previously disbanded Engine Companies. Engine 1 in Center City, Engine 8 in Olde City, Engine 14 in Frankford and Engine 39 in Roxborough were restored on 23 November 2019. There are 55 medic units spread across the stations, including 42 advanced life support (ALS) and 18 basic life support (BLS) units. For special events, or to meet staffing requirements, the advanced life support (ALS) medic units may be downgraded to basic life support (BLS) units. A BLS unit will contain a 'B' in their call sign, for example Medic 9B.[8]
- E - Engine
- MU - Marine Unit
- F (Foxtrot) - ARFF Crash Unit
| Station # | Location | Battalion | Division | Apparatus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Rittenhouse Square | 1 | 1 | Engine 1, Ladder 5, Medic 35 |
| E2 | North Philadelphia | 8 | 3 | Engine 2, Ladder 3, Medic 31, Medic 51B |
| E3 | Bella Vista | 1 | 1 | Engine 3 |
| E5 | University City | 11 | 1 | Engine 5, Tower Ladder 6, Medic 60B, Battalion 11 |
| E6 | Kensington | 10 | 2 | Ladder 16, Medic 46, ES 9 |
| E7 | Juniata Park | 10 | 2 | Engine 7, Ladder 10, Medic 2, Battalion 10 |
| E8 | Old City | 4 | 1 | Engine 8, Snorkel 2, Medic 44, Battalion 4 |
| E9 | Germantown | 9 | 3 | Squrt 9, Ladder 21, Medic 10 |
| E10 | Passyunk Square | 1 | 1 | Engine 10, Medic 27B, Battalion 1 |
| E11 | Society Hill | 4 | 1 | Engine 11, Medic 21 |
| E12 | Manayunk | 9 | 3 | Engine 12, Medic 52B, Battalion 9 |
| E13 | Francisville | 3 | 3 | Engine 13, Medic 50B, Air Unit 1 |
| E14 | Frankford | 10 | 2 | Engine 14, Ladder 15, Medic 47B |
| E16 | West Philadelphia | 11 | 1 | Engine 16, Medic 26B, Mass Casualty Unit 1 |
| E18 | Rhawnhurst | 13 | 2 | Foam 18, Medic 38 |
| E19 | Germantown | 9 | 3 | Engine 19, Ladder 8, Medic 28, Deputy 3 |
| E20 | Chinatown | 4 | 1 | Engine 20, Ladder 23, Medic 1 |
| E22 | Northeast Philadelphia | 5 | 2 | Engine 22, Ladder 31, Medic 20 |
| E24 | Point Breeze | 1 | 1 | Engine 24, Medic 14 |
| E25 | Fairhill | 10 | 3 | Engine 25, Medic 8, Medic 58B |
| E27 | Northwest Philadelphia | 3 | 3 | Engine 27, Medic 13, Battalion 3 |
| E28 | Port Richmond | 10 | 2 | Engine 28, Medic 45, Decon 1 |
| E29 | Northern Liberties | 3 | 1 | Engine 29, Medic 15, Rescue 1, Rescue 1A, Collapse Unit 1 |
| E33 | Bridesburg | 10 | 2 | Foam 33, Foam Tender 1 |
| E34 | Fairmount | 3 | 1 | Engine 34, Medic 36 |
| E35 | East Falls | 8 | 3 | Engine 35, Ladder 25, Medic 16 |
| E36 | Holmesburg | 12 | 2 | Engine 36, Ladder 20, Medic 17 |
| E37 | Chestnut Hill | 9 | 3 | Engine 37 |
| E38 | Tacony | 12 | 2 | Water Tower 38, Mass Casualty Unit 2, ES 11, Deputy 2 |
| E39 | Roxborough | 9 | 3 | Engine 39, Ladder 30, Medic 5, ES 10 |
| E40 | Elmwood | 6 | 1 | Engine 40, Ladder 4, Medic 19 |
| E41 | Carroll Park | 11 | 1 | Engine 41, Ladder 24, Medic 23 |
| E43 | Center City | 4 | 1 | Squrt 43, Ladder 9, Medic 7, ES 1 |
| E44 | Mantua | 11 | 1 | Engine 44, Medic 34 |
| E45 | Strawberry Mansion | 3 | 3 | Engine 45, Ladder 14, Medic 25 |
| E46 | Torresdale | 13 | 2 | Engine 46, Medic 49B, Battalion 13, Grass Firefighter 3 |
| E47 | Grays Ferry | 6 | 1 | Squad 47, Squad 47A, Medic 40, Medic 53B, Deputy 1, ES 8 |
| E49 | South Philadelphia | 6 | 1 | Engine 49, Medic 11 |
| E50 | North Philadelphia | 8 | 3 | Engine 50, Ladder 12, Medic 22, Medic 57B |
| E51 | Olney | 2 | 3 | Engine 51, Ladder 29, Medic 18, Battalion 2 |
| E52 | Wissinoming | 12 | 2 | Engine 52, Medic 32 |
| E53 | Pennsport | 1 | 1 | Engine 53, Ladder 27, Medic 43 |
| E54 | Overbrook | 11 | 1 | Engine 54, Medic 41 |
| E55 | Hunting Park | 8 | 3 | Engine 55, Tower Ladder 22, Medic 39B |
| E56 | Fox Chase | 5 | 2 | Engine 56, Medic 48 |
| E57 | Walnut Hill | 7 | 1 | Water Tower 57, Medic 9B |
| E58 | Northeast Philadelphia | 5 | 2 | Engine 58, Medic 54B, Battalion 5 |
| E59 | Hunting Park | 8 | 3 | Engine 59, Ladder 18, Medic 4, Battalion 8 |
| E60 | West Passyunk | 6 | 1 | Foam 60, Ladder 19, Medic 37, Hazmat 1, Hazmat 2, Chem 1 |
| E61 | Olney | 2 | 3 | Engine 61, Medic 29B |
| E62 | Northeast Philadelphia | 5 | 2 | Engine 62, Ladder 34, Medic 6 |
| E63 | Oak Lane | 2 | 2 | Engine 63, Medic 56B |
| E64 | Lawncrest | 2 | 2 | Engine 64 |
| E66 | Roxborough | 9 | 3 | Engine 66 |
| E68 | Kingsessing | 7 | 1 | Engine 68, Ladder 13, Medic 3, Medic 59B, Battalion 7 |
| E69 | Eastwick | 6 | 1 | Engine 69, Medic 55B, Battalion 6, ES 12 |
| E70 | Oxford Circle | 12 | 2 | Engine 70, Medic 42, ES 3 |
| E71 | Northeast Philadelphia | 12 | 2 | Engine 71, Snorkel 28, Medic 12, Battalion 12 |
| E72 | Logan | 2 | 3 | Squad 72, Squad 72A, Medic 24 |
| E73 | Stenton | 2 | 3 | Engine 73, Medic 33, Air Unit 2 |
| E78 | Philadelphia International Airport | Engine 78 (F9 + F10), Medic 30, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F21, F22, F23 | ||
| MU1 | Delaware River | Marine Unit 1 | ||
| MU2 | Schuylkill River | Marine Unit 2, Marine Unit 4 |
Disbanded or restored fire companies
* Engine 1 - 711 S. Broad St. Restoration of Engine 1 announced November 2019 and restored 23 November 2019 * Engine 4 - 1528 Sansom St. * Engine 6 - 2601 Belgrade St. * Engine 8 - 101 N. 4th St. Restoration of Engine 8 announced November 2019 and restored 23 November 2019 * Engine 14 - 1652 Foulkrod St. Restoration of Engine 14 announced November 2019 and restored 23 November 2019 * Engine 15 - 1625 N. Howard St. - Disbanded to form Marine Unit 15 * Engine 17 - 1328 Race St. * Engine 21 - 609 N. 2nd St. * Engine 23 - 2736 N. 6th St. - Disbanded to form Marine Unit 23 * Engine 26 - 1010 Buttonwood St. * Engine 30 - 3548 Germantown Ave. * Engine 31 - 2736 6th St. * Engine 32 - 239 S. 6th St. - Disbanded to form Marine Unit 32 * Engine 39 - 6630 Ridge Ave. Restoration of Engine 39 announced November 2019 and restored 23 November 2019 * Engine 42 - 3320 N. Front St. * Engine 48 - 930 S. 7th St. * Engine 65 - 5331 Haverford Ave. * Engine 67 - Haverford Ave. & N. Preston St. * Engine 74 - Never Organized * Engine 75 - Never Organized * Engine 76 - Philadelphia Northeast Airport * Engine 77 - Philadelphia International Airport - Merged with Engine 78 * Ladder 1 - 1541 Parrish St. * Ladder 7 - 400 W. Girard Ave. * Ladder 11 - 1357 S. 12th St. * Ladder 17 - 1210 Oak Lane Ave. * Ladder 26 - 8201 Tinicum Blvd. * Ladder 32 - 3023 Grays Ferry Ave. * Ladder 33 - Never Organized
Gallery
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Firefighting in Philadelphia. |
Philadelphia Fire Department Memorial
See also
- Philadelphia Police Department
- City of Philadelphia
- List of Pennsylvania fire departments
References
- "Total Station Runs" (PDF). Philadelphia Fire Department. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- "Fire Department". www.phila.gov. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- "History". Philadelphia Fire Department. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- The Bullitt bill as adopted by the Legislature of Pennsylvania, June 1, 1885 :together with the ordinance to carry it into effect, passed by the councils of Philadelphia, December 16, 1886. Philadelphia. 1902-01-01. hdl:2027/uiug.30112054998411.
- "American Legal Publishing - Online Library". library.amlegal.com. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- "USAR Task Force Locations". FEMA. Archived from the original on 5 July 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2015.
- "Fire Houses". Philadelphia Fire Department. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
- In November 2019, the Department announced plan to staff and reinstate four previously disbanded Engine Companies. Those companies are Engine 1 in Center City, Engine 8 in Old City, Engine 14 in Frankford and Engine 39 in Roxborough. "Field Medic Units". Philadelphia Fire Department. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
External links
- Official Site
- Philadelphia Fire Museum
- http://www.philly.com/philly/photos/Fire_Department_Time_Capsule_Opened.html
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/philadelphiafiretrucks/
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