The communications center is an enhanced 911 facility handling fire and EMS calls and dispatching units. The dispatchers must be New York State certified Emergency Medical Technicians to be hired and maintain national certification as Emergency Medical Dispatchers. These same Emergency Services Dispatchers are utilized to staff the mobile command post along with county fire marshals. Last year, the communications center processed approximately 145,000 fire and EMS emergencies. The Fire Academy provides field training and classroom instruction in local fire departments and at the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yaphank.
Courses range from basic firefighting to incident command and management.
Specialized training courses are provided as needed. The department is dedicated to saving lives and protecting property in times of fire and disasters, providing effective and efficient EMS support services, and ensuring that our fire rescue personnel are properly trained to perform their duties. The Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services proudly serves the county's 1.4 million residents, the 109 fire departments and 29 EMS agencies, and the approximately 14,000 fire and EMS responders.