Phoenix Fire Department Celebrates 140th Anniversary

The Phoenix Fire Department commemorated its 140th anniversary Tuesday morning with a celebratory event honoring generations of firefighters who have served the community since the days of horse‑drawn apparatus. City leaders, department officials, and members of Local 493 gathered at Historic Fire Station 8 to reflect on the department’s legacy and its continued evolution.

The Phoenix Fire Department was formally established in August 1886. At the time, Phoenix had a population of about 3,000 and covered just half a square mile. By 1887, the department served the city with a staff of 100 volunteer firefighters. Today, the Phoenix Fire Department is one of the largest in the nation, serving a population of approximately 1.7 million across more than 518 square miles, with nearly 2,000 professional firefighters and an additional 1,000 professional staff members.

The milestone celebration included remarks from Mayor Kate Gallego, Councilwoman Ann O’Brien, Fire Chief Mike Duran and Executive Vice President of the Local 493 Tim Gammage. Speakers highlighted the department’s long-standing commitment to public safety, its tradition of innovation, and the deep connection between Phoenix firefighters and the residents they serve.

Following the formal program, attendees explored Historic Fire Station 8, where restored equipment, vintage tools, and decades-old documents provided a vivid look back at the department’s earliest chapters. Phoenix Fire Department historian Tim Kovacs was on hand to provide context to artifacts that traced the department’s growth from modest beginnings to one of the largest and most sophisticated in the country.

The event also celebrated the department’s forward momentum. Expanded recruit classes, construction of new fire stations, and the integration of emerging technology such as drones were highlighted as tools that are already helping firefighters respond faster and more safely.

With a blend of nostalgia and optimism, the anniversary celebration offered a rare opportunity for the community and media to witness both the rich heritage and continued transformation of one of Phoenix’s most enduring institutions.