EMS/HAZMAT

Fire Fighters in Front of Truck

Emergency Medical Service

Staff

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) that are provided by the Opelika Fire Department consists of the following:

  • Emergency Medical Technicians I: 40
  • Emergency Medical Technicians III (Paramedics): 30
  • Front Run ALS (Advance Life Support) Trucks: 4
  • Reserve Rescue Trucks: 1 

Twelve of the above EMT personnel are assigned to the rescue vehicle on a full time basis, while the others are assigned to different apparatus throughout the department. All of our apparatus carries trauma equipment. The four front run pumpers are classified as Basic Trauma Units. The staff vehicles are equipped with basic medical response equipment so that we can rapidly respond to medical calls. This can reduce our response time as we go about our daily jobs.

Training & Safety

Our EMT personnel are a vital part of the safety of the citizens of Opelika in that they provide the very best emergency medical service available. Our personnel are constantly involved in some type of classes.

Hazardous Materials Response Unit

The EMS/HAZMAT office, located at Headquarters – Station 1, oversees multiple components of day-to-day operations, including the maintenance and renewal of all medical licensing/certifications held by the department and its personnel, HAZMAT certifications, equipment/supplies, purchasing and maintenance, covering everything from uniforms, to radios, to apparatuses. The office also coordinates closely with local and state emergency management agencies to prevent and respond to any and all natural or man-made emergencies.

About the Team

The HazMat response team has 17 specialists, 5 technicians, and 34 first responders. The State of Alabama certifies all. These personnel have received many hours in training and field experience. From handling leaks, spills and escaping gasses, to understanding the law of hazardous materials themselves the response team is committed to protecting the citizens of Opelika. 

Equipment

The response truck carries state-of-the-art equipment such as Level A suits for working in dangerous environments, high pressure air bottles, a portable power plant, air compressor, decontamination equipment, leak plugging equipment, ditch and damming equipment, non-sparking lighting, chemical absorbent pads and storage containers, just to name a few.