Responds to incidents involving fire or hazardous materials and provides emergency medical services and rescues when appropriate. Also provides public education and fire inspections to increase community awareness of fire safety and accident prevention.

Integrates hazard mitigation principles in a variety of ways to make Ohio communities more sustainable and citizens more resilient in the face of future disaster events. Provides projects and planning efforts to reduce the cost of damage caused by disasters, and minimize the impact on citizens, businesses, and properties. Maintains the State's All Hazard Mitigation Plan and coordinates the State Hazard Mitigation Team (SHMT). Responsible for implementing FEMA's hazard mitigation programs and assists Ohio communities in their mitigation planning efforts.

Responsible for the control and extinction of fires in urban or wilderness areas; the inspection of buildings and hillside property to ensure potential fire hazards; and the maintenance of equipment and trained firefighters necessary for a quick and efficient response to fires when they occur.