The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) is a full-service, all-hazards emergency response agency serving the City of San Antonio, Texas. Established in 1891, SAFD has grown into one of the largest fire departments in the country, covering over 500 square miles and protecting more than 1.5 million residents.
The department operates over 50 fire stations with more than 1,800 uniformed personnel. SAFD responds to a high volume of calls annually—well over 200,000, the majority of which are medical emergencies. The department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services (EMS), hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and community risk reduction.
Working for the San Antonio Fire Department has been a valuable experience in terms of job exposure and operational tempo. The volume and diversity of calls we respond to offer excellent training opportunities and help develop strong decision-making and field experience quickly. For anyone wanting to sharpen their skills as a firefighter and EMT, SAFD is one of the best places to do it.
However, there are serious leadership and organizational issues that need to be addressed. Morale among the rank-and-file is low due to a growing perception that upper leadership is no longer prioritizing the well-being of the line firefighters—the “boots on the ground.” Recently, there was a pay raise approved for administrative positions that was not only quietly passed but intentionally kept under wraps from the majority of the department. That lack of transparency speaks volumes.
In terms of compensation and benefits, SAFD is no longer competitive with surrounding departments. Neighboring county departments offer better pay, more balanced call volume, improved work schedules, and in many cases, better retirement and healthcare benefits. This has led to an increasingly high turnover rate. Many recruits are using SAFD as a stepping stone—getting their certifications and quickly moving on to departments that value long-term employee satisfaction.
If we want to retain good firefighters and rebuild department morale, we need leadership that actively advocates for everyone—not just those in administrative offices. Change must start from the top, with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and a renewed focus on supporting the people who are doing the job day in and day out.
SAFD has the potential to be one of the best departments in the country again—but only if leadership steps up and starts truly leading for all of us.
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1 Reviews on “San Antonio Fire Dept”
Working for the San Antonio Fire Department has been a valuable experience in terms of job exposure and operational tempo. The volume and diversity of calls we respond to offer excellent training opportunities and help develop strong decision-making and field experience quickly. For anyone wanting to sharpen their skills as a firefighter and EMT, SAFD is one of the best places to do it.
However, there are serious leadership and organizational issues that need to be addressed. Morale among the rank-and-file is low due to a growing perception that upper leadership is no longer prioritizing the well-being of the line firefighters—the “boots on the ground.” Recently, there was a pay raise approved for administrative positions that was not only quietly passed but intentionally kept under wraps from the majority of the department. That lack of transparency speaks volumes.
In terms of compensation and benefits, SAFD is no longer competitive with surrounding departments. Neighboring county departments offer better pay, more balanced call volume, improved work schedules, and in many cases, better retirement and healthcare benefits. This has led to an increasingly high turnover rate. Many recruits are using SAFD as a stepping stone—getting their certifications and quickly moving on to departments that value long-term employee satisfaction.
If we want to retain good firefighters and rebuild department morale, we need leadership that actively advocates for everyone—not just those in administrative offices. Change must start from the top, with a commitment to fairness, transparency, and a renewed focus on supporting the people who are doing the job day in and day out.
SAFD has the potential to be one of the best departments in the country again—but only if leadership steps up and starts truly leading for all of us.