What is the main responsibility of the EMS division within HFD?

The main responsibility of the EMS (Emergency Medical Services) division within the Houston Fire Department (HFD) is to provide emergency medical services and training. This encompasses a wide range of critical functions, including responding to medical emergencies, offering pre-hospital care, and stabilizing patients for transport to medical facilities. In addition to direct patient care, the EMS division plays a crucial role in training first responders in advanced life support techniques, essential for ensuring high-quality care during emergencies. This division's focus on medical response is vital, as it highlights the importance of paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in saving lives and providing immediate assistance in crisis situations.

Other responsibilities, such as fire prevention, community outreach, conducting fire safety inspections, and managing public education programs, fall under different divisions within HFD. These areas focus more on fire safety, public awareness, and prevention rather than the immediate medical care and training that is the hallmark of the EMS division.