Show All Answers

1. How big is your service area and population?

We serve over 32 square miles. The population is over 27,000 people in the Harrisburg Fire District. We also provide automatic mutual aid to City of Concord Fire Department, Flowes Store VFD, Jackson Park VFD, Charlotte FD, and other agencies upon request.

2. How many calls for emergency service do you get each year?

In 2019, we responded to 2,757 active calls. That’s an 8% increase from 2018.

Note that the Harrisburg Fire Department operations consist of fire suppression, motor vehicle accidents, first responder medicals, technical rescue including water rescue, and hazmat. in 2019, 57% of calls were medical calls, 14% active alarms, 9% service calls, 7% motor vehicle accidents, 7% other and 6% active fire calls.

3. What is your average response time to emergencies?

Since July 1, 2016, our turnout time (time dispatched to time truck checks in route) has averaged 1 minute, 45 seconds.

Our travel time (leaving station to scene of emergency) has averaged 6 minutes, 31 seconds.

Our overall response time is 7 minutes, 19 seconds.

4. Why does a fire engine respond to medical emergencies?

Most Harrisburg Firefighters are trained as an EMT - Advanced level and function as first responders for Cabarrus County EMS. To provide rapid response, fire engines are equipped with lifesaving ALS medical equipment and respond to medical emergencies because it is the best use of our resources and provides a better outcome for the patients. Contact the Fire Department for more information.

5. How many stations does your Department have?

Three. 

Station 1 (Headquarters)
6450 Morehead Road
Harrisburg NC 28075

Station 2
9331 Rocky River Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075

Station 3
8045 Rocky River Road
Harrisburg, NC 28075

6. How many firefighters are on shift?

There are three shifts of four full-time firefighters on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year for a total of 12 firefighters. We operate two Engine companies with our current staffing. Each Engine has 1 Captain, 1 Engineer (Driver), and 2 Firefighters. There is one Battalion Chief over all stations. Administrative staff consists of Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief of Operation, Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal, Logistics Captain, and an Administrative Assistant. A part-time Assistant Chief of Training is also assigned to the administrative offices.

7. How do I schedule a Fire Prevention Activity?

To schedule a Fire Prevention activity or class, contact our Fire Prevention team, or call our Administrative Assistant at 704-455-0740.

8. What do I do when I see an emergency vehicle approaching when I am driving?

Always remember to safely pull your vehicle to the right when you see an emergency vehicle approaching. Never stop in the middle of the road or precede though an intersection against the signals. An oncoming vehicle going through the intersection might not see you in time. Always pull to the right whenever possible. For further questions, contact the Fire Department.

9. Why do I see fire trucks around town?

You may see the fire trucks around town responding to emergencies, providing fire prevention educational events, meeting with local businesses to do pre-incident surveys, providing hydrant maintenance or other fire department business. For further questions, contact the Fire Department.

10. Why do the fire trucks turn on their lights to back into the station bays?

Unlike other fire stations, our large number of needed response vehicles make what we call “pull through” bays not a feasible option. Therefore, we have to back into the station. Normally, when approaching the station a warning light stick will begin 50 to 100 feet prior to the front pad (driveway.)  Once we get closer we turn on our emergency lights (red lights) to warn all vehicles to stop so that we may back into the bay.

11. What do I do if a fire truck is on the side of the road at an emergency scene?

Recently, the state of North Carolina has made traffic laws that while approaching an emergency incident that you slow down and either continue on through or stop if signaled to by an emergency official. Contact the Fire Department for more information.

12. Will the fire department call me and ask for a donation?

We will never call and ask you for a donation.

13. Why does the fire department have so many trucks?

Currently, Harrisburg Fire Department operates four engine companies, one ladder company, one heavy rescue unit, one brush unit and one specialized swiftwater rescue unit. Each of these units are used for a specific purpose whether it be putting water on a fire, ventilating above a fire, extricating victims from an auto collision, transporting equipment and personnel to water emergencies, or putting out forestry fires. According to the Office of State Fire Marshal we are in need of a fifth engine to continue our current insurance rating.

14. How can I request a smoke detector installation?

You can click here to complete the form for a smoke detector(s) installation. Your form will be emailed to Jason Dickson (Fire & Life Safety Educator) and the Administrative Assistant, who will then call to set up an appointment for installation. 

All installations must be in Harrisburg Fire District, and are completely free of cost.

15. Who do I call for fire insurance related questions?

Your insurance company is who should be called for questions relating to fire insurance. The insurance company should contact ISO for questions relating to ratings and hydrant locations.

16. How can I help?

To help the Fire department, visit our Recruitment page.