Cincinnati Fire Department

Cincinnati Fire Department

Operational area
Country	United States
State	Ohio
City	Cincinnati
Agency overview
Established	April 1, 1853 (1853-04-01) (172 years ago)
Annual calls	48,882 (2012)
Employees	624 (2015)
Annual budget	$95,680,440 (2015)
Staffing	Career
Fire chief	Frank McKinley
EMS level	ALS
IAFF	48
Motto	"First in the Nation"
Facilities and equipment
Stations	26
Engines	27
Trucks	12
Rescues	2
Ambulances	14
Tenders	1
HAZMAT	1
Airport crash	1
Fireboats	2
Rescue boats	5
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Cincinnati Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services for Cincinnati, Ohio. The department, which was established on April 1, 1853, was the first fully paid and professional fire department in the United States. Along with being responsible for nearly 80 square miles (210 km²) of land, the department also provides response coverage to 25 miles (40 km) of Ohio River shoreline.

History

Early Beginnings

The Cincinnati Fire Department traces its origins to the early 19th century when fire protection services were minimal and mostly volunteer-based. By the 1800s, Cincinnati's population had increased significantly, making the need for organized firefighting more urgent.

In the 1830s, the city began developing its volunteer fire companies. These early fire brigades operated on a rotating basis, with volunteer firefighters often working without pay and relying on personal equipment, such as hand-drawn pumps, to fight fires. Despite these efforts, major fires like the Cincinnati Great Fire of 1845 revealed the inadequacies of the city's fire protection system.

Formation of the Paid Fire Department (1853)

The Cincinnati Fire Department as it is known today was founded on April 1, 1853, with the establishment of the nation's first fully paid professional fire department. This transformation from a volunteer to a professional force marked a significant shift in fire service operations.

The change came after the devastating fire at the Eagle Ironworks in 1852, which caused considerable property damage. As a result, city officials recognized the need for a more structured and effective firefighting force. A combination of local political pressures and the city's growing demands for better safety led to the creation of the CFD.

The first chief of the department was Miles Greenwood, an influential Cincinnati industrialist and inventor who had previously helped develop some of the early firefighting technologies. Under his leadership, the CFD began modernizing and equipping its fire stations and personnel with steam-powered fire engines and other advanced tools of the trade.

Expansion and Technological Advances (Late 19th Century)

By the late 1800s, the department had expanded its reach and capabilities. The CFD was one of the first to incorporate steam-powered fire engines and later motorized vehicles to improve response times and efficiency.

In the 1870s, the city began using fireboats to protect the waterfront and handle fires on the river, which was a critical aspect of Cincinnati’s infrastructure due to its location along the Ohio River.

Additionally, the department began implementing fire prevention measures and public education campaigns to reduce fire risks, a concept that would grow to become a vital part of firefighting strategy in the decades to follow.

Fire Prevention and EMS Integration (Early to Mid-20th Century)

The Cincinnati Fire Department adapted to the changing needs of the city throughout the early 20th century, incorporating fire prevention and safety measures into their work. Firefighters began engaging in community education programs, focusing on fire safety in homes, schools, and workplaces.

In the 1920s, the CFD expanded its role by taking on a rescue mission. They began training personnel to provide more advanced medical care at the scene of accidents and fires, eventually leading to the integration of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) into the department.

By the 1950s, the Cincinnati Fire Department had also introduced Hazardous Materials (HazMat) teams to handle dangerous chemical spills and other toxic threats. This marked a new era of firefighting and rescue operations, as the department continued to evolve and incorporate specialized training and equipment.

Modernization and New Challenges (Late 20th Century to Present)

The Cincinnati Fire Department saw continued modernization in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The department implemented advanced life support (ALS) techniques, providing critical care to patients during transport in addition to responding to fires. This was part of a broader effort to improve service to the community by not only responding to fires but also offering pre-hospital care and rescue services.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the CFD responded to a series of complex incidents, including large-scale fires in industrial and residential areas, toxic chemical spills, and urban disasters. As the city continued to grow, the department made sure to expand its services to meet the evolving needs of the community.

The Cincinnati Fire Department now operates 26 stations, with a staff of approximately 624 personnel, providing critical services such as:

• Fire Suppression: Responding to structural and wildland fires.
• Advanced Life Support (ALS): Providing emergency medical care, including CPR, advanced airway management, and drug administration.
• Technical Rescue Operations: Rescuing people from collapsed buildings, trench rescues, and swift-water rescue.
• Hazardous Materials Response: Handling toxic and hazardous spills or incidents.
• Fire Prevention and Education: Offering programs to educate the public about fire safety, home fire prevention, and disaster preparedness.

Today, the CFD continues to be at the forefront of urban firefighting, equipped with modern tools and committed to reducing the impact of fires and medical emergencies in the community.

Stations and apparatus

Complete list of stations and apparatus.

Fire Station Number	Neighborhood	Engine Company	Ladder Company	Medic Unit	Special Unit	Chief Unit	District
2	Carthage	Engine 2	Ladder 2	Medic 2			4
3	Downtown	Engine 3	Ladder 3	Medic 3	Boat 3	District Chief 1	1
5	Over-the-Rhine	Engine 5					1
7	Mount Washington	Engine 7					4
8	Pleasant Ridge	Engine 8					4
9	Bond Hill	Engine 9		Medic 9	Heavy Rescue 9, Zodiac Boat 9, Trench Rescue 9		3
12	Camp Washington	Engine 12		Medic 12			2
14	Downtown	Engine 14			Heavy Rescue 14, Hazmat 14, Engine 14B, Zodiac Boat 14	Safety Officer 2	1
17	Price Hill	Engine 17	Ladder 17	Medic 17	Zodiac Boat 17	District Chief 2	2
18	Lunken Airport	Engine 18	Ladder 18		ARFF 18, ARFF 218, Water Tanker 18, Mass Casualty ATVs, Gator 18, Boat 18		4
19	Corryville	Engine 19	Ladder 19	Medic 19			1
20	Northside	Engine 20	Ladder 20			District Chief 3	3
21	South Fairmount	Engine 21			Ventilation Truck		2
23	Walnut Hills	Engine 23	Ladder 23	Medic 23	Zodiac Boat 23		1
24	Price Hill	Engine 24	Ladder 24	Medic 24			2
29	West End	Engine 29	Ladder 29	Medic 29			2
31	Oakley	Engine 31	Ladder 31			District Chief 4	4
32	Avondale	Engine 32	Ladder 32		Foam 32, Mass Casualty 32	ALS 32	3
34	Clifton	Engine 34				ALS 34	1
35	Westwood	Engine 1, Engine 35	Ladder 35	Medic 35	Mass Casualty 35	ALS 35	3
37	Riverside	Engine 37			Foam 37 Boat 37		2
38	Spring Grove Village	Engine 38	Fuel Truck				3
46	Hyde Park	Engine 46		Medic 46			4
49	Madisonville	Engine 49					4
50	Sayler Park	Engine 50					2
51	College Hill	Engine 51		Medic 51			3

External links

• Cincinnati Fire Dept History and Photos
• Cincinnati Fire Department Official Website
• Cincy Fire Apparatus Cincinnati page