Altoona Fire Dept header
Welcome to the City of Altoona Fire Department, Altoona, PA

The department is located in Altoona, PA. A city of about 50,000 located in Blair County in SW central PA. The department is comprised of approx. 64 line personnel and 1 secretary, and staffs 2 rescue-engines, 2 engines, 1 Heavy Rescue and 1 truck in 4 stations located throughout the city. We also have 2 reserve engines, a reserve rescue and a reserve truck. The department operates a QRS emergency medical service, serves as the Hazardous Materials Response team for Blair County and has a technical rescue team..

Organizationally, the department is divided into 4 "tricks" that each have an Asst. Chief and approx. 16 personnel. Each 'trick' works 2 daylight shifts from 7am to 5pm, followed by 2 night shifts from 5pm to 7am, followed by 4 days off. This schedule is common throughout the United States. Our line personnel comprise IAFF local #299.

In addition to the fire suppression activities, "QRS" Quick Response emergency medical service, and other hazard abatement functions common to many fire departments, the Altoona Fire Department plays an active role in fire prevention, fire safety, inspection, "Get Out Alive", and other programs aimed at public safety. We commonly present fire safety programs at schools and local businesses, as well as teach fire extinguisher classes for employees or other groups. The department also has a Juvenile Firestarter program aimed at working with children who show a tendency to start fires. Trained personnel work with the children and their families on a one-to-one basis in order to resolve problems and identify reasons for firestarting behavior. For information on any of these programs, contact our office at 949-2230 between 8am and 3pm weekdays.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

** Click HERE for more information on our Juvenile Firestarters intervention program for children that are prone to firestarting behavior.

Organization In Memory Captain Bob Gallardy Employment
Apparatus Rescue Mission fire photos Gallardy Memorial Fund Story

FireLinks

Altoona Police Department  The Fire & EMS Information Network
Blair County Allied Firemans' Assn. PA Association of Hazardous Materials Technicians 
Johnstown Fire Dept. The *other* Altoona Fire Dept(Iowa)
Altoona FireFighters IAFF Local #299 Our sister city, St. Poelten, Austria Fire Dept
F.I.R.E.S. Pennsylvania Firefighter
PEMA Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency City of Altoona

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This site was last updated 3/25/09

hits since 7/01/96

A note to patch collectors: Unfortunately, I am unable to give out or trade department patches.

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