Cincinnati Fire Department

Last updated
Cincinnati Fire Department
Cincinnati Fire Department Logo.png
Operational area
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
State Flag of Ohio.svg  Ohio
City Flag of Cincinnati, Ohio.svg Cincinnati
Agency overview [1] [2] [3]
Established
  • April 1, 1853 (1853-04-01)
  • (172 years ago)
Annual calls48,882 (2012)
Employees624 (2015)
Annual budget$95,680,440 (2015)
StaffingCareer
Fire chief Frank McKinley
EMS level ALS
IAFF 48
Motto"First in the Nation"
Facilities and equipment [4] [3] [5]
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. [6] 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. [6]

Contents

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:

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. [5]

Fire Station NumberNeighborhoodEngine CompanyLadder CompanyMedic UnitSpecial UnitChief UnitDistrict
2 Carthage Engine 2Ladder 2Medic 24
3 Downtown Engine 3Ladder 3Medic 3Boat 3District Chief 11
5 Over-the-Rhine Engine 51
7 Mount Washington Engine 74
8 Pleasant Ridge Engine 84
9 Bond Hill Engine 9Medic 9Heavy Rescue 9, Zodiac Boat 9, Trench Rescue 93
12 Camp Washington Engine 12Medic 122
14 Downtown Engine 14Heavy Rescue 14, Hazmat 14, Engine 14B, Zodiac Boat 14Safety Officer 21
17 Price Hill Engine 17Ladder 17Medic 17Zodiac Boat 17District Chief 22
18 Lunken Airport Engine 18Ladder 18ARFF 18, ARFF 218, Water Tanker 18, Mass Casualty ATVs, Gator 18, Boat 184
19 Corryville Engine 19Ladder 19Medic 191
20 Northside Engine 20Ladder 20District Chief 33
21 South Fairmount Engine 21Ventilation Truck2
23 Walnut Hills Engine 23Ladder 23Medic 23Zodiac Boat 231
24 Price Hill Engine 24Ladder 24Medic 242
29 West End Engine 29Ladder 29Medic 292
31 Oakley Engine 31Ladder 31District Chief 44
32 Avondale Engine 32Ladder 32Foam 32, Mass Casualty 32ALS 323
34 Clifton Engine 34ALS 341
35 Westwood Engine 1, Engine 35Ladder 35Medic 35Mass Casualty 35ALS 353
37 Riverside Engine 37Foam 37

Boat 37

2
38 Spring Grove Village Engine 38Fuel Truck3
46 Hyde Park Engine 46Medic 464
49 Madisonville Engine 494
50 Sayler Park Engine 502
51 College Hill Engine 51Medic 513

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References

  1. "Cincinnati Fire Department: First In The Nation". Cincinnati Fire Department. Archived from the original on 9 July 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  2. "Fiscal Years 2014-2015 Budget". Cincinnati Fire Department. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Cincinnati Fire Department. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  4. "Operations". Cincinnati Fire Department. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Cincinnati Fire Department". Ohio Firefighters. Retrieved 31 May 2015.
  6. 1 2 "About". Cincinnati Fire Department. Retrieved 31 May 2015.