The Lawrence Fire Department is composed of professional firefighters and civilian EMT/Paramedics who answer emergency calls throughout the City of Lawrence daily. The 83 firefighters from Local #416 run the five firehouses in Lawrence. Fire Stations #36, #37, #38, #39, and #40 provide coverage for over 50,000 residents in the City of Lawrence.

The professional firefighters and civilian EMT/Paramedics who staff the Lawrence Fire Department emergency vehicles cover a response area of 22 square miles and serve over 50,000 residents. LFD responds to more than 6,000 fire calls and an average of 7,000 EMS runs each year. LFD strives to have prompt response times as a fire doubles in size and intensity every 60 seconds. To save lives and property, the prompt response times of LFD enhance the public's safety in the City of Lawrence.

All firefighters are trained to provide emergency medical services, and all front-line fire apparatus, which currently consists of three engine companies and one ladder company – are staffed with Indiana State Certified Paramedics every day. LFD also has three advanced-life support ambulances. LFD firefighters are highly skilled and trained to conduct difficult rescues, perform auto extrication, and handle hazardous material incidents with the response of LFD's Tactical Unit, Tac 38, which handles this type of emergency incident.