Longview Fire Department

Longview Fire Department provides an array of services to the citizens of Longview. Currently, LFD consists of 167 full-time employees, 159 of which are certified personnel. We operate out of 8 stations strategically located throughout Longview. LFD has 3 rotating shifts, A, B, C, therefore all shift personnel work 24 hours on-duty, 48 hours off-duty. The number of employees assigned to each station varies with the size of the station and the apparatus located there. Front-line apparatus/units currently includes: 7 Engine Companies, 3 Truck Companies, 4 MICU Ambulances, 2 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Shift Duty Officer, and 1 Fire Prevention Officer. LFD utilizes a fully-functional Hazardous Materials Team, Special Operations Team and Water Rescue Team when necessary. Each of the aforementioned teams is considered to be a “regionally recognized asset” and provide emergency and non-emergency response primarily in a 14-county area of East Texas.

In addition to this, we also provide statewide assistance in the event of any impending natural or manmade disaster as declared by the Texas Department of Emergency Management. As a resource asset of the State EOC, the Longview Fire Department is actively involved, of the behalf of the City of Longview, with a jointly operated Emergency Management Center in conjunction with officials representing Gregg County. Through this activity, the fire department plays a critical role in the management of evacuees from the Gulf Coast in the event of a hurricane impacting the State of Texas.

Our department also is actively engaged with the aspects of teamwork with other important City departments. The fire department currently has 6 firefighters trained as SWAT-Medics that respond as-needed with the Longview Police Department to provide medical care in potentially hostile criminal environments. We also employ the position of a civilian Fire Inspector who works closely with the City’s Developmental Services division to address issues of life safety and code enforcement to keep our community safe.

The area of fire safety education is also critical within the scope of our department. We currently undertake the important task of reaching into our community to better inform and educate the public on the principals of fire safety and preparedness. A vital component to this is the operation of our Safety City, in conjunction with the City’s Partners in Prevention program. Through this venue, our department interacts with approximately 4000-5000 school-aged children each year. Here they are educated about the importance of residential fire safety, usage of the 911 system, as well as the general operations of the fire department. The department has also recently initiated an Explorers Post to further facilitate the interest of young-adults that may want to pursue the fire service as a career in their future. LFD also aggressively participates in a smoke detector installation / battery change program to aid residents in need of assistance with personalized fire safety.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Longview Fire Department provides Emergency Medical Services to all citizens in Longview city limits. We currently operate 4 front line MICU ambulances and 3 reserve medics. Approximately 14,000 calls, or 85% of our call volume, are directly related to EMS.