The Odessa Fire Department employs 165 full time employees. Of these 150 are full time paid firefighters, working a 3-platoon system. The total number of firefighters currently employed consists of 38 Licensed Paramedics, 66 Certified Paramedics, 25 Certified EMT’s and 23 Certified ECA’s. Fire fighters work a 24-hours on and 48 hours off shift. The city is located in Ector County with a population of 90,943 and a total county population of 124,000. Ector County covers 904 square miles with 36.8 square miles being incorporated city. Odessa is located in Sunny West Texas, just East of the Southeastern corner of New Mexico, at an elevation of 2900 ft. The Odessa Fire Department is equipped with eight (8) engines, three (3) of which are quints. All eight engines are staffed with four personnel. A minimum of one paramedic is required for each crew. All are ALS equipped and are first responders on EMS calls. The department runs four full time ambulances, staffed with a minimum of two personnel. The fire department houses a specially equipped Hazardous Materials Response Unit and a trained response team. There are currently 91 Firefighters at the Haz-mat Technician level. In addition, we also have a high angle, confined space and water rescue team with an equipped response unit. Support equipment includes a light and air truck, a mass casualty trailer and a delivery vehicle. For the purpose of wild land fire fighting the OFD maintains two (2) tankers each carrying 2900 gallons of water and a foam system. Two (2) reserve engines and two (2) reserve medics are available if needed.