This group is dedicated to the men and women of the BCFD that protect the historic City of Baltimore, Maryland 24/7. We invite all who would like to help honor the BCFD Firefighters in pictures to post them here.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
The Baltimore City Fire Department serves a geographic area of 81 square miles and a population of more than 636,000. It is made up of seven divisions including fire suppression, a combination of the first and second divisions, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Information Technology including Communications, Fire Marshall’s Office, Training Division and Administrative Services. Operationally, the department is divided into management sectors – operations and administration. Since 2003 the department has responded to an average of 235,808 emergency 911 calls per year.
The Deputy Chief of Operations oversees the management of 40 neighborhood fire stations, over 100 fire and EMS units. These include 55 fire suppression units, 22 medics as well as specialty units such as hazmat trucks, rescue squads and the fire boat. The Deputy Chief of Administration oversees the training and management of approximately 1,700 uniformed personnel and 69 civilian staff throughout the department.
Prior to 1858 Baltimore’s fire department was an all volunteer organization. In December of 1859 the City Council officially created the city’s first paid, professional fire department made up of one Truck and Four Engine Companies. Eventually, the Baltimore City Fire Department replaced the all volunteer force completely. In June of 1927 five ambulances were placed in service and thus began the EMS Division. And by 1938 the Fire Incendiary Bureau is created which eventually became the Fire Investigation Bureau headed by the Fire Marshall, adding the final piece to what is today Baltimore City Fire Department.
