151 Years of Fire Service

151 Years of Fire Service

Last updated on April 16, 2024 at 08:00 AM

From Humble Beginnings

In response to the devastating Bridge Street fire on March 23, 1873, the City of Waco established the Waco Volunteer Fire Department on April 3 just a few days later. The department's first company was Rescue Hook & Ladder No. 1, followed shortly thereafter by Engine Co. 1.

As Waco's population grew throughout the late 19th century, so did its fire service infrastructure. By the end of the century, the department had expanded to five stations strategically located around the city to service a population of over 20,000 residents.

Modernization of the Fire Department

For the first 44 years of fire services in Waco, the Waco Fire Department relied on dedicated volunteers to protect the City. However, the need for around-the-clock fire protection eventually required the employment of firefighters to staff stations overnight when some of the worst fires typically occur.

Between 1910 and 1920, Waco's population boomed, prompting the fire department to modernize and significantly bolster its firefighting capabilities. In that decade, the department began the transition from horse-drawn apparatus to mechanized vehicles, the number of fire stations grew to eight, and discussions initiated about making the department fully paid.

On April 12, 1917, the Waco City Commission officially created paid positions for a fire chief, assistant chiefs, and firefighters, marking a significant shift in the department's structure. Since then, the Waco Fire Department has mirrored the city's growth, constructing six new stations.

Fire Station at the Movie Theater

The most recent fire station includes the relocation of Station #6 at the site of the historic 25^thStreet Theater. The theater originally opened its doors in 1945, later became a nightclub, and officially closed in 1992. After originally intending to keep the structure of the theater, the City of Waco demolished the building in 2019. However, the City reconstructed the building in the same style as the theater featuring the original green sign. The theater is now home to Station #6, which also serves as the new administration building and houses a community room.

Currently, construction is underway for Station #15 to provide additional coverage in the West Waco neighborhood.

New Technologies

As Waco has grown, the Fire Department has continued to expand services and add new technology to better serve the community. Stations 1, 2, and 12 are equipped with boats for water rescues on Lake Waco and local rivers. Brush trucks strategically located at Stations 4, 12, and 14 combat grass and brush fires. The department boasts a specialized Hazardous Materials Team that serves a multi-county area. Station 1 houses both a technical rescue team and a swift water rescue team, with a dedicated dive team established in 2019. The most recent addition, formed in 2021, is an EMS Bike Team that provides medical assistance at large events, such as Baylor football games.

With a proud tradition of service spanning 151 of Waco's 175 years, the Waco Fire Department remains a vital pillar of public safety within the community.

Tagged as:

• 175th Anniversary