[viraptor]

How is it organised in the US? In Australia/Vic while the are volunteer firefighters, they're working with the state organisation and are being put on the same level/block as the career ones in the structure: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/our-structure/

[megaman22]

Where I grew up, there are no professional firefighters; it's all volunteer, just something people did as a hobby, basically. I think they might elect their own chief and officers, or it might be on the public ballot, with the dog catcher and other town positions. Usually, there's nobody on duty at the station, so when a call comes in from the 911 dispatch at county or wherever, their pagers or cellphones go off and they leave work to rush to the station, gear up, and go out.

[Spooky23]

Usually paid and volunteer firefighters don’t mix well.

Typically you have first responders, and a network of mutual aid for broad scope disasters. During a major disaster, state level emergency management, state police or other get involved.

The level of competence and resources varies between states when it comes time for escalation.

[cat199]

not sure about any particulars in any one place but I am almost certain that this will vary by state, county and city.