Our Mission

The mission of the Shelby County Fire Department is to "protect the lives and property of the people of Shelby County from fires, natural disasters, and hazardous materials incidents; to save lives by providing emergency medical services; to prevent fires through prevention and education programs; and to provide a work environment that values cultural diversity and is free from harassment and discrimination."

Responsibilities & Services

Answering about 18,000 calls each year, the Shelby County Fire Department stands ready to provide the best possible protection for the residents of the county. The department operates in three Battalions with thirteen engine companies out of ten engine houses dispersed throughout the county. More than 230 firefighters, inspectors, and trainers operate equipment, including pumper and ladder trucks, air truck, and brush trucks, as well as special rescue and hazardous response equipment. We operate a comprehensive fire-based EMS Division that puts nearly a dozen ambulances on the streets each day. More than 13,000 dispatches during 2020 were of a medical nature. That nearly 80% of our run volume being dedicated to a medical emergency of some kind.

This Fire Department was first established in 1972 with an annual budget of $18,000.00 a paid staff of 21 and eight pumpers. In its first year, the Shelby County Fire Department received 249 calls. Today, the annual operating budget is approximately $26 million, and the professional emergency protection teams respond to an average of just over 50 calls per day. The Shelby County 9-1-1 dispatch office has 16 full-time employees handling emergency calls.

Certifications

The Shelby County Fire Department was one of the first in the State of Tennessee to receive national Journeyman Fireman certification for employees. Shelby County firefighters hold the latest certifications including all levels of fire fighting, emergency medical care, hazardous materials waste management, and rescue. Shelby County Fire dispatches for three departments including Millington and Arlington Fire Departments alongside our own Shelby County Fire Department. This is a dispatch coverage area of almost 402 square miles. That’s more than half of the 785 square miles here in Shelby County. The SCFD also very proudly serves the citizens of Lakeland, Tennessee. In all, our dispatches cover 57,274 homes that are occupied by more than 150,000 people.