The Airport Division was established in 1980. There are currently one fire station on the airport complex, Station #2,  which was built by the Aviation Authority and completed in 2006. The station is manned by a ten man crew on each 24 hour shift with a minimum manning level of eight firefighters per shift. Also there is a Non-Transport rescue unit assigned with 2 paramedics per shift. All Aircraft Rescue Firefighters (ARFF) participate in a continuous training program on the latest aircraft rescue firefighting techniques. Live fire exercises are held twice a year for the purpose of teaching proper firefighting procedures and certification. The Airport Division is supervised by one Division Chief for all three shifts. The Airport Chief interacts with the Federal Aviation Authority (F.A.A.), Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA), MacDill Air Force Base, Airline Pilots Association, and the Airport Managers Association.

The Airport Division has a fleet of Oshkosh and one Emergency One ARFF vehicles. There are one T-6 ARFF vehicles which carry 1,585 gallons of water and 205 gallons of ARFF foam. We also have two  ARFF vehicles which carry 3,170 gallons of water, 410 gallons of foam, and finally, one P-19 Rapid Intervention vehicle which carries 1000 gallons of water and 130 gallons of foam. As a secondary extinguishing agent, the P-19 and the T-6 is equipped with 500 lbs. of Halon.

Tampa International Airport is classified as an Index "D" airport serving over 12,000,000 passengers per year, with an average of over 700 commercial flights per day. It is considered one of the finest airports in not only our nation, but worldwide. It has been the recipient of many awards for safety, convenience, availability of services and layout of airsides. April l5, 1996, marked the silver anniversary of the landside/airside terminal building which was a revolutionary design when it was unveiled in 1971.

Tampa Fire Rescue presently operates under contractual agreement with Hillsborough County Aviation Authority for ARFF service delivery at T.I.A. HCAA compensates the City of Tampa for personnel assigned to the Airport Division. Aircraft rescue firefighting expertise is provided, as well as first responder and basic life support services to all airside buildings within the airport complex