Fire Suppression

Odessa is located in Ector County of sunny west Texas, just east of the southeastern corner of New Mexico, at an elevation of 2900 feet and has a City population of 112,493 and a total county population of 161,091. Ector County covers 904 square miles with 36.8 square miles being incorporated city.

Fire Suppression Personnel

The Odessa Fire Rescue (OFR) has 213 full time suppression personnel. These 168 are full time paid firefighters, working a 3-platoon system. The total number of firefighters currently employed consists of licensed paramedics, certified paramedics, certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and certified ECAs. Firefighters work a 48-hours on and 96-hours off shift. Between the 9 fire stations, OFR averages 21,100 runs per year.

Equipment

The Odessa Fire Rescue is equipped with 8 engines, 3 of which are 105 foot aerials. All 8 engines are staffed with 4 personnel. Paramedics are required for each crew. All engines and aerials are Advance Life Support (ALS) equipped and are first responders on emergency medical services (EMS) calls. OFR runs 8 full time ambulances, staffed with a minimum of 2 EMS personnel.

For the purpose of wild land firefighting the OFR maintains 3 tankers each carrying anywhere from 2500 to 3000 gallons of water and a foam system. 2 reserve engines and 3 reserve ambulances are available if needed.

Hazardous Materials Response Unit

OFR houses a specially equipped Hazardous Materials Response Unit and a trained response team. There are currently members of OFR certified at the Hazmat Technician and Operations level. In addition, we also have high angle, confined space and water rescue teams with an equipped response unit.

Goals for the Suppression Division

  • Maintain operational readiness through training on various disciplines in both fire and EMS.
  • Communicate, educate and remain active in the "16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives," to reduce injuries and/or fatalities in the Department
  • Maintain readiness on mutual aid development for the Incident Management Team
  • Maintain collaboration and coordination with other city departments and organizations around the community, and continue the alliance with Ector County volunteer fire departments and Midland Fire Department
  • Implement/update Standard Operating Guidelines to meet the "best practices" approach in operations
  • Seek new ways to improve the service delivery in the community through operational readiness