The Operations Division oversees the emergency response services for all citizens who live in, work or visit the City of Springfield, Illinois. Operation’s Divisions members account for approximately 90% of all Fire Department manning and respond to all calls for emergency services, technical rescue responses, hazardous material incidents and water rescues. We also respond to all mutual aid calls with our surrounding communities. As a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Division 48 and can also be dispatched for in-state or nation wide deployment if the need arise. In 2013 The Springfield Fire Department responded to sixteen thousand four hundred and fifteen calls for service.

The makeup of response companies is as follows:

• 2 Battalion Chiefs who perform Incident Command at all emergency scenes and oversee all actions and training assigned to their respective Battalions.
• 3 Squad Companies who are assigned for fire suppression, extrications, emergency medical services and special operations for tactical support.
• 3 Truck Companies who are assigned for search and rescue, forcible entry, extrications, and special operations for tactical support.
• 10 Engine companies who are assigned for fire suppression, extrication, emergency medical services and special operations tactical support.

The Operation Division is also responsible for the Springfield Fire Departments maintenance facility. In order to maintain all of our equipment in the best working condition possible. The shop employees, who are trained and certified, do preventive maintenance to our apparatus fleet biannually. Their duties include fueling the fleet three times each week, preventative maintenance on rigs and numerous small tools from extrication equipment to small motors, up to major repairs with the exception of major engine and transmission overhauls. They also are trained and certified in servicing our self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), as well as teach our apparatus pumping classes.

The Operations Division is also tasked with daily duties which include:

• All works compensation claims.
• All Division 1 correspondence from reply messages to time off request.
• Maintain and upgrade all monitors – Defibrillators, Suction units, Thermal Imaging Cameras, CO monitors and Four Gas monitors.
• Purchase and dispense Personal Protective Equipment
• Purchase and dispense Uniforms
• Purchase and dispense Medical Supplies
• Purchase and dispense Station House upkeep and supplies.

Another major component of the Operation Division is the design and specification of any new fire apparatus.