The BFD is trained for, and responds to various types of rescues, including hazardous material incidents, confined space rescue, vertical rescue, and swift water rescue.  Each year, the BFD responds to over 2,000 EMS calls and 1,500 fires.  These situations vary, and may involve structure fires, smoke reports, grass fires, along with other calls to service.  Mutual Aid Agreements are in effect with area paid and volunteer departments throughout Bell County.  The BFD covers 112 miles of Bell County for EMS, and 66 miles of Bell County for fire protection.  The two area lakes and many rivers in the Belton/Bell County area are also within the service jurisdiction of the BFD.
    

The BFD complies with the State Mandated Training Requirements by offering continuing education.  The training is further enhanced by sending personnel to National Fire Academy courses, which are offered at Texas A&M University Fire Training School each year.  Classes are also offered through the Bell County Fire Chief's annual week-long Fire Schools.  The BFD also mandates that shift personnel participate in a 2 hour fitness program.
    

All firefighters and paramedics in the BFD are State Certified in their positions, along with holding certification in basic trauma life support, advanced cardiac life support, and paramedic advanced life support.  The ambulance personnel are certified in  advanced life support capabilities and utilize 12 lead electrocardiograms (ECGs).
    

The BFD conducts basic pre-fire planning of all retail and commercial businesses within the City of Belton, as well as implementing hydrant maintenance and hose testing programs on an annual basis.  These efforts truly show the proactive standpoint that the BFD is taking on fire-prevention disaster preparedness.