Led by Fire Chief Paul Berardi, the Kansas City Fire Department consists of 34 fire stations organized into seven battalions. The uniformed portion of the department is segmented into six bureaus: Community Services, Professional Development, Technical Services, Special Operations, Emergency Operations and the Emergency Medical Bureau. A deputy chief manages each bureau.

KCFD is actively involved in efforts to prepare the community for natural and man-made disasters. The department is a key player in the Mid-America Regional Council's Homeland Security Coordinating Committee. This multi-disciplinary group coordinates policy development, planning, training and equipment for the metro area's Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), which is funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The hallmark of the Department is the labor/management partnership program that exists among Fire Administration and Locals 42 and 3808 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. Local 42 represents the rank and file personnel of the department. Local 3808 represents the battalion chiefs, EMS division chiefs, EMS majors and middle management personnel of the organization. This partnership is designed to include the labor force as a participant in every significant decision within the department concerning policies and programs.