The Memphis Fire Department seeks to respond to residential fire calls as quickly as possible, reaching at least 70% of these calls (defined as structure fire incidents) within 5 minutes and 20 seconds. Response time measures the time from the receipt of the alarm dispatched by the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center to when the first emergency response unit initiates action to control the incident. 

Fire Response includes the personnel, equipment, and resources dispatched upon notification of a structure fire incident. Properly matching resources to each incident firefighters respond to is important for reducing injuries and property loss.