The McAllen Fire Department operates in three different 24 hour shifts; A, B and C. As of June 2009, 7 firehouses are in operation.
The McAllen Fire Department responds to calls that include vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, heart attacks, strokes, building fires, structural fires, vehicular fires and brush fires. The Fire Department has a mutual aid agreement with several surrounding cities and have responded to calls as far as Brooks County.