Fire Department History

Several devastating fires swept through Phoenix before any formal fire protection efforts were organized. Recognizing the growing need for fire safety, citizens passed a bond issue on August 17, 1886, raising $10,000 to improve the city’s water supply, purchase modern firefighting equipment, and form Phoenix Engine Company #1. This company began as a volunteer fire service with 25 charter members. For $5,000, the city purchased a Nott steam fire engine, a hook-and-ladder wagon, two hose carts, and 1,000 feet of fire hose.

Before this new equipment arrived in early 1887, additional volunteer companies formed to protect the city. On February 12, 1887, the Aztec Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized, followed by Pioneer Hose Company No. 1 and Yucatec Hose Company No. 2, a group primarily made up of Hispanic volunteers. Rivalries between these volunteer companies were common, but they ultimately united under the leadership of Frank Czarnowski, who became the first Chief of the Phoenix Volunteer Fire Department on April 13, 1888.

In 1894, the first Central Fire Station was built at the corner of First and Jefferson streets. Before its construction, firefighting equipment was stored in volunteers’ homes or near their businesses. Central Station was a two-story structure with four bay doors—one for each volunteer company—and marked a new era of organization and preparedness.

The construction of Central Fire Station introduced new resources for the growing city. A 1,222-pound bell was installed in the station’s wooden tower to alert firefighters to emergencies. The city was divided into four wards, and the bell would toll once for Ward 1, twice for Ward 2, and so on, helping firefighters determine the fire’s location. However, the heavy bell proved too much for the tower’s rafters and was later moved to a steel frame at City Hall.

In 1896, Phoenix installed its first fire alarm system, connecting 15 alarm boxes to the Central Station. Although still largely volunteer-based, the department hired its first paid member, Billy Simmons, in 1898. Initially employed as a custodian and caretaker of the equipment, Simmons later rose to the position of Fire Chief.

By 1908, the Phoenix Fire Department had grown to six volunteer companies, each with 25 members. Full-time paid staff included three drivers, a house captain, and an extra man. The department also maintained a modest but essential fleet: a Nott engine, an Ahrens engine, two combination hook-and-ladder chemical trucks, and a double-tank chemical engine—the only surviving piece of Phoenix’s volunteer firefighting history, now housed at the Hall of Flame Fire Museum.

The Adams Hotel fire in 1910 was one of Phoenix’s earliest significant fires. Despite the firefighters' best efforts, the four-story wooden structure was lost. Remarkably, there were no fatalities.

The department continued to modernize and improve during this period. In 1914, two new fire stations were built, and the telephone-based "99" line was installed at Central Station to streamline emergency communication. Calls were tapped out over telegraph lines, activating gongs at all fire stations to alert crews.

1914 also marked the end of the firehorse era, as the department acquired three chain-driven, 325-gallon-per-minute 1914 Seagrave fire trucks. This shift to motorized equipment signaled the department’s transition from a volunteer to a fully paid, professional organization, which was completed by 1922.

In 1924, the department introduced a two-shift system, with A and B shifts alternating 24-hour duty. The department experienced its first tragedy on December 9, 1929, when Captain Jack Sullivan and firefighter Ambrose Shea died in a collision between Squad 1 and Engine 2 at 14th and Van Buren streets.

Despite challenges, the 1930s brought innovation. The Fire Prevention Bureau was created in 1935 to focus on public safety and education. The Phoenix Fire Department began using gas masks and resuscitators, marking the early days of emergency medical services. On November 6, 1936, Phoenix firefighters joined the International Association of Firefighters, forming Local 493.

The 1940s saw further development. In 1947, C Shift was added, expanding coverage. Firefighters were briefly assigned additional duties, including repairing small equipment for the Parks Department and patrolling with police officers. By the 1950s, the department had grown to include 12 stations, and the first Black firefighter, James Wesley Robinson, joined the ranks.

The 1960s and 1970s were decades of significant growth. Phoenix’s first airport fire station opened at Sky Harbor Airport in the 1960s, and the Training Academy launched in 1968. Emergency Medical Services became a key focus in the 1970s. The department’s first Rescue Unit was activated in 1973, and two firefighters were certified as paramedics the following year.

Tragedy struck on August 5, 1974, when firefighter Randy Potts was injured in the line of duty and died the next day. In response, the department formed the Arson Task Force and expanded its hazardous materials response capabilities.

The 1980s brought further advancements. The Computer-Aided Dispatch System was introduced, improving response times. The Phoenix Fire Department hired its first female firefighters, and in 1985, the Maricopa County 9-1-1 system went live. Phoenix Fire Department ambulances were also put into service, and the department established a Health and Fitness Center to promote firefighter wellness.

The 1990s were marked by progress and resilience. The Phoenix Fire Department became part of the Federal Urban Search and Rescue network in 1991. New equipment, such as ladder tenders, was introduced to reduce wear and tear on fire apparatus.

However, the decade was not without loss. On February 12, 1994, firefighter Tim Hale was killed in the line of duty. The department continued to adapt, implementing new safety protocols and training.

In 2001, the tragic death of Firefighter/Paramedic Bret Tarver in a supermarket fire prompted the department to conduct a comprehensive "Recovery Process" to improve safety measures and firefighter training. This process became a model for continuous improvement and innovation.

Today, the Phoenix Fire Department honors its history while embracing the future. With a strong commitment to public safety, innovation, and community service, the department continues to evolve to meet the needs of a growing city.