Emergency Operations is the largest bureau within the City of Carlsbad Fire Department and is responsible for fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical service delivery, lifeguard service & marine safety, and disaster mitigation. The Emergency Operations Bureau is led by the Assistant Fire Chief who oversees:

• (1) EMS & Training Division Chief who oversees the Training Division, community health and emergency medical services.
• (1) Professional Services and Special Operations Division Chief who oversees Lifeguard Services & Marine Safety, special events, Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) and SWAT medics.
• (3) Shift Battalion Chiefs leading A, B and C platoons.

Approximately 33 personnel make up each shift who are housed within seven fire stations located throughout the city. Ranks consist of captains, engineers, firefighter paramedics and emergency medical technicians working an alternating 24-hour shift schedule. Emergency Operations personnel are a highly trained, professional workforce that responds to an average of 15,000 service calls each year. 

The City of Carlsbad maintains a fleet of emergency vehicles that respond to emergency incidents. In addition to the front-line apparatus, the city has reserve apparatus which can immediately be placed in service when additional staffing is needed or when front-line apparatus experience mechanical issues:

• Six fire engines and two reserve
• One aerial ladder truck and one reserve
• Five rescue ambulances, each staffed with one firefighter/paramedic and one EMT
• Two brush engines and one OES brush engine
• One urban search and rescue unit and one technical rescue trailer
• Five chief command vehicles and one reserve
• Two lifeguard pick-up trucks
• Two UTVs for off-road use
• Two rescue personal watercraft 

More information on the City of Carlsbad Lifeguard Service including staffing and hours of operation can be found here.