The station covers the heavily industrialised area that extends from Hunslet to Stourton. This results in a high workload of risk inspections to familiarise crews with potential hazards.

Notable developments within the area include the sports stadiums at Elland Road and South Leeds, The White Rose Centre, Bridgewater Place and the Royal Armouries.

Hunslet is the petrochemical firefighting station for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. All staff are trained in petrochemical firefighting techniques at the International Training Centre based at Teeside airport.

In addition to the two firefighting pumps, Hunslet has the major foam and bulk foam units which can be deployed locally, regionally and nationally, providing 24 hour cover, 365 days a year.

The station ground is bordered to the west by an inter-city railway line, to the north by the River Aire, to the east by the M1 and also has the M621 running close to the station.