Meet UPFD

• Chief's Message
• History
• Personnel
• Special Operations
• Honor Guard
• Fire Training
• Apparatus
• HIPAA - Notice of Privacy Practices

CHIEF'S MESSAGE

Welcome to the University Park Fire Department webpage. From here you can easily request and obtain a variety of reports and permits.  Listed too are a full range of resources and services centered on your health and safety.  Our mission focuses on providing innovative life-safety solutions.  We take this mission very seriously. 

The men and women of our department provide fire, rescue, HazMat and paramedic-based emergency medical response for those who live, work and visit University Park.  This includes the Southern Methodist University campus and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.  Non-emergency attention centers on fire/safety code inspections and several value-added services including, child car seat installations, residential smoke detector installations and birthday party tours of the fire station. 
 
We are proud that UPFD is one of a select number of municipal fire departments in the U.S. with an ISO Class 1 rating, the highest public protection classification awarded by the Insurance Service Office. This Class 1 rating means homeowners and businesses in University Park have comparably lower insurance rates. 
 

In February 2020, consistent with the goals and objectives stated here, the Department issued its customer-centered 5-year Strategic Plan.  We welcome your review of the document.

Consistent with continually striving for departmental excellence, in 2019, UPFD became a "Recognized Best Practices Fire Department," as designated by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association Best Practices Recognition Program. This designation evaluates departments using defined best practices, models and procedures. Departments that hold the designation have achieved required levels of administrative and organizational excellence. UPFD is only the 21st department in Texas to achieve such standing.
 

If you have ideas, questions, comments, or concerns about any of the materials and information on this site, please call us at 214-987-5380, or drop by our administrative offices at 3800 University Blvd., University Park, TX. 75205.
 

The University Park Fire Department is honored and privileged to serve, you, your family and this community. 
 

To view a copy of the Class 1 Rating letter from the Texas Department of Insurance/State Fire Marshal's Office click here.
To view a copy of the Class 1 Rating scorecard click here.
To view a copy of the Department's 5-Year Strategic Plan, click here. 

Randy Howell
Fire Chief/Emergency Management Coordinator
City of University Park

HISTORY

Serving since 1924, the exceptional quality of Fire and Emergency Medical Services provided by the University Park Fire Department is no exception to the general theme of our community.  

The dedicated members of our department provide comprehensive services that include fire prevention/education, fire suppression, and state-of-the-art paramedic-based Emergency Medical Services.  All department members receive substantial training prior to employment and are provided extensive continuing education in all services provided.  Along with these core services, our department responds to a broad spectrum of public service calls including:
 

• emergency vehicle and home lock-outs
• lift assistance for residents who are incapacitated
• natural gas leaks, power line hazards, electrical emergencies
• motor vehicle accidents
• elevator and other rescue scenarios 

Along with general duties such as alarm, sprinkler, and life safety building plans reviews, business fire code safety inspections and coordinating the department’s public education programs, the department’s Prevention Division offers child safety seat installation and home safety inspections and coordinates our Citizens Emergency Response Team (CERT).  Thanks to these efforts, the department maintains a pro-active approach to accident loss prevention and community preparedness.
 

PERSONNEL

Administration

A-Shift

B-Shift

C-Shift

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

HONOR GUARD

Members include: Commander Lieutenant/Paramedic Joe Watkins, Batallion Chief/Paramedic Terry Fowler, Batallion Chief/Paramedic Brandon Ferguson, Captain/Paramedic Matt Milner, Lieutenant/Paramedic Casey Graves, Firefighter/Paramedic Denton Garcia and Firefighter/Paramedic Paul Abel. 
 

Each year the University Park Fire Department remembers those who died during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania with a Posting of the Colors. The morning ceremony begins near the actual time of the first impact at the World Trade Center. University Park, Highland Park and SMU come together and the location of the ceremony varies. In addition to the posting of the colors, the ceremony includes bagpipes, the ringing of the department’s fire bell and remarks by the City Chaplin. Members of the public are welcome to attend the ceremony.  412 emergency workers died as they attempted to implement rescue and fire suppression efforts at the World Trade Center. Overall, the attacks claimed 2,974 lives, excluding the 19 hijackers.

FIRE TRAINING

Opened in June 2012, the four-story structure is located next to the City’s water tower on Fondren Avenue. Outfitted with a burn simulator to replicate true fire conditions, the facility helps City firefighters maintain proficiency, meet state-mandated continuing education requirements and continue the City’s favorable ISO fire suppression rating.

In the past, although the City had a fire tower and could conduct basic drills, department personnel and equipment had to travel to Collin College Fire Training Facility in McKinney for most of their ongoing training and certification. In addition to limiting training frequency, the use of an out-of-town site resulted in rental fees and overtime pay. Now, UPFD personnel train while on duty.
 

• Fire attack/search and rescue
• Forcible building entries
• Building ventilation techniques
• Aerial ladder operations and high-angle rescues

To view video of firefighters conducting a fire attack, click here .
To view video of firefighters ventilating a roof, click here .
To view video of firefighters conducting a roof rescue, click here .
To view video firefighters conducting a rope rescue, click here .

APPARATUS

Engine 451

A 2016 Cyclone II Rescue Pumper manufactured by E-One.
 

Truck 451

A 2016 105' Cyclone II Aerial Ladder Truck/Quint manufactured by E-One.  The term Quint indicates that this is a dual-purpose apparatus with aerial ladder/master stream capabilities and a pump.
 

Reserve Engine 452

Reserve Truck 452

Medic 451

A 2016 Frazer Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) with a Dodge chassis that is staffed with two paramedics at all times.  This apparatus provides advanced pre-hospital medical assistance and patient transport.
 

Reserve Medic 452

Battalion 451 Command
 

A 2016 Chevrolet that serves as the primary command vehicle for the on-duty shift Battalion Chief. It has a command activity board and other essential equipment used to assist with the command function at major emergency incidents.