Operations Division

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The Operations Division is responsible for equipping, staffing and operating 15 neighborhood fire stations to provide prompt fire and EMS response when you call 911.

Four platoons of firefighters work on a rotating schedule to provide 24-hour coverage. Battalion chiefs oversee operations in three geographic zones and captains provide supervision at the station level.

South County Fire has a minimum of 70 firefighters on duty during the day and 64 overnight.

Firefighters do much more than fight fires. All firefighters in South County Fire are trained and certified as either emergency medical technicians (providing basic life support care) or paramedics (providing advanced life support for life-threatening emergencies). Other firefighters have specialized training in technical rescue, hazardous materials and marine response.

Technical Rescue Team

Responds to: Complex emergencies requiring advanced rescue skills such as collapsed buildings, urban search and rescue, trench cave-ins, confined-space rescues, ice and surface water rescues and high- and low-angle rope rescues. South County Fire’s team is part of the Snohomish County Technical Rescue Team, which provides regional response and sharing of resources.

Based at: Martha Lake Fire Station 21

TECHNICAL RESCUE 21 (TR21): Specialized rescue truck stocked with equipment and tools to support the mission of the team; carries inflatable BOAT21.

Hazardous Materials Team

Responds to: Intentional or accidental release of toxins, combustibles, dangerous chemicals and biological or nuclear agents. Team members are trained to detect, identify and contain the release of hazardous materials while safeguarding the public, responders and environment. South County Fire’s team is part of the Snohomish County Hazardous Materials Team, which provides regional response and sharing of resources.

Based at: Hilton Lake Fire Station 12

HAZMAT12: Truck and trailer equipped with supplies to provide decontamination for victims or responders who may have been exposed to a hazardous substance.

Marine/Water Response

MARINE16 is a 28-foot fire/rescue boat. A bow door allows for beach landings. A side door accommodates in-water patient assistance. MARINE16 is based at the Port of Edmonds. Firefighters certified as Marine Operators respond from Stations 16, 17 or 20 to staff the boat for emergency response. Capabilities include fire suppression, search and rescue, emergency medical transports and dewatering.

BOAT19, based at Lake Ballinger, is a 9-foot inflatable boat equipped with an outboard motor. Its main use is for water rescues on the lake. BOAT19 also is used for emergency access to Lake Ballinger Island. Firefighters from Mountlake Terrace Fire Station 19 or another nearby station are dispatched to staff BOAT19 for emergency response.

BOAT21 is a 10-foot inflatable rescue boat powered by a 9.9-horsepower outboard motor. Purchased in 2019, the boat is carried on TR21, South County Fire’s technical rescue truck. BOAT21 can be quickly inflated and rapidly deployed to serve all area lakes.

Wildland Firefighting

Firefighters with special wildland training respond to fires in greenbelts and undeveloped wooded areas in our service area. They are also deployed as needed to wildfires in the state and region.

BRUSH11 is a brush truck based at Mariner Fire Station 11. Equipped with specialized wildland gear, the truck can respond to fires in greenbelts and other undeveloped areas that can’t be accessed with a fire engine.