Staff:
The Iola Fire Department is composed of a Fire Chief, Deputy Chiefs, Lieutenants, and fire fighters. The Department is divided into three shifts providing 24-hour public safety service.

Fire Service:
Annually, the Fire Department responds to about 250 alarms, comprised of structure, vehicle and grass fires, the presence of smoke, carbon monoxide tests, etc. Response times in the City are just under 4 minutes, and average about 11 minutes for rural calls.
The Fire Department provides:

• Quality fire protection
• Emergency rescue
• Emergency Medical Services (ambulance)
• Fire prevention education
• Presentations and fire drills at schools and nursing homes
• Station and equipment tours
• Business, Daycare, and School District Building inspection
• Disaster Drill participation
• Work with the SAFEBASE program

Training:
Each year Fire & EMS personnel spend a total of almost 2,500 hours training, equal to an annual average of 146 hours of training per employee.

Emergency Medical Service (EMS):
Iola Firefighters are also trained to provide emergency medical treatment. Firefighters/EMT's receive certifications in intravenous drug administration, which increases the City’s quality of ambulance service to the EMT-I level. Employees are able to start intravenous therapy at the scene of an accident or en route to the hospital. 

Under contract with Allen County, two ambulance units are stationed at the Iola Fire Department. Annually, these units respond to 775-900 ambulance calls a year. About 40% of the calls are routine transfers of medical patients, and 35% are actual medical emergencies. Other incidents include motor-vehicle and home-related accidents.