Montgomery County Fire Rescue 101

When one fire siren goes off in Montgomery County, it seems like dozens more follow.

No matter what type of call, a normal response from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service includes at least nine trucks in all – five engines, two ladder trucks, one heavy rescue squad and one ambulance or medical truck. All of this is overseen by two battalion chiefs, and perhaps a couple of volunteer chiefs.

“The dispatch will vary to some degree based on the type of structure or hazard,” said Beth Anne Nesselt, spokesperson for MCFRS. “For instance, if the reported fire is for a high-rise, we would typically add an engine and aerial unit to the initial dispatch. In rural areas of the county and non-hydrant areas, we would typically add a water supply task force which includes the addition of engines and tankers.”

Does that seem like a lot of trucks to get up and mobilized? Montgomery County houses 35 fire stations, staffed by volunteer and career firefighters. Each of these stations brings a little something different to the fire. We asked MCFRS for a breakdown of the county’s apparatus.

Take a look at our slideshow for a description of the county’s trucks.