Time critical elements in the rapid progression of a structure fire drive the need for rapid responses and early fire department arrival to reported fires. The time interval between fire ignition and the start of fire extinguishment efforts by the fire department has a direct relationship to the incident's outcome in terms of property loss, injury, and death.

In 2016 the Department implemented a new total response time benchmark. The Department’s new response benchmark is to have the first unit arrive at the scene of a fire emergency incident within 6 minutes and 20 seconds or less, total response time, of time of notification at the Emergency Communication Center 90% of the time.