Fire departments directoryUpdated Q1 2025

Fire Departments Directory in the United States

Explore municipal, volunteer, and district fire departments by state. Each profile includes contact details, staffing mix, specialty units, and current hiring signals pulled from public sources and official releases.

Showing highlighted departments across the United States.

Directory coverage

Built from FEMA, municipal, and district level sources.

These highlighted departments represent 180+ metropolitan and regional agencies that publish transparent staffing and recruitment updates.

Departments indexed

312 featured agencies

Updated Jan 2025

Cities represented

180+ metros

Top growth corridors

Volunteer share

46% hybrid departments

Career + volunteer staffing

Data refresh cadence

Every 90 days

FEMA & municipal sources

Search departments

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Department type

California • West region22% combination or volunteer

California Fire Departments

Metro agencies investing in wildfire mitigation teams and brush apparatus.

3 regional academies open recruit applications through Q2 2025.

View California dashboard →

Los Angeles Fire Department

Municipal

Los Angeles, California

Stations: 106+ coverage
Staffing: 3,400 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban search and rescue, brush response, air operations
Established: 1886

📞 (213) 978-3800🌐 Official site

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department

Municipal

San Diego, California

Stations: 52+ coverage
Staffing: 1,200 career & 400 lifeguards
Specialty units: Lifeguard services, hazardous materials, air operations
Established: 1889

📞 (619) 533-4300🌐 Official site

San Francisco Fire Department

Municipal

San Francisco, California

Stations: 43+ coverage
Staffing: 1,700 career firefighters
Specialty units: High-rise response, marine operations, airport rescue
Established: 1866

📞 (415) 558-3200🌐 Official site

Sacramento Fire Department

Municipal

Sacramento, California

Stations: 24+ coverage
Staffing: 700 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, river rescue, hazmat operations
Established: 1850

📞 (916) 808-1300🌐 Official site

CAL FIRE San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit

State

Felton, California

Stations: 18+ coverage
Staffing: Statewide wildland firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland fire response, prevention, aviation

📞 (831) 335-5353🌐 Official site

Orange County Fire Authority

District

Irvine, California

Stations: 78+ coverage
Staffing: 1,400 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban interface, hand crews, fire prevention bureau

📞 (714) 573-6200🌐 Official site

Fresno Fire Department

Municipal

Fresno, California

Stations: 21+ coverage
Staffing: 350 career firefighters
Specialty units: Agricultural area response, technical rescue

📞 (559) 621-4400🌐 Official site

Long Beach Fire Department

Municipal

Long Beach, California

Stations: 23+ coverage
Staffing: 500 career firefighters
Specialty units: Port operations, marine firefighting, hazmat team

📞 (562) 570-2500🌐 Official site

Texas • South region41% combination or volunteer

Texas Fire Departments

Fast-growing suburbs expanding ALS staffing and fire station coverage.

12 combination departments opening lateral entry lieutenant positions.

View Texas dashboard →

Houston Fire Department

Municipal

Houston, Texas

Stations: 93+ coverage
Staffing: 4,000 career firefighters
Specialty units: HazMat response, EMS transport, dive team
Established: 1838

📞 (832) 394-6700🌐 Official site

Dallas Fire-Rescue Department

Municipal

Dallas, Texas

Stations: 61+ coverage
Staffing: 2,000 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat response, airport operations
Established: 1873

📞 (214) 670-4321🌐 Official site

Austin Fire Department

Municipal

Austin, Texas

Stations: 52+ coverage
Staffing: 1,300 career firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland-urban interface, special operations, community risk reduction

📞 (512) 974-0130🌐 Official site

San Antonio Fire Department

Municipal

San Antonio, Texas

Stations: 54+ coverage
Staffing: 1,900 career firefighters
Specialty units: Community paramedicine, special operations, fire academy

📞 (210) 207-8301🌐 Official site

Fort Worth Fire Department

Municipal

Fort Worth, Texas

Stations: 46+ coverage
Staffing: 900 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat, emergency management

📞 (817) 392-6700🌐 Official site

Plano Fire-Rescue

Municipal

Plano, Texas

Stations: 14+ coverage
Staffing: 400 career firefighters
Specialty units: EMS transport, technical rescue, ISO Class 1

📞 (972) 941-7400🌐 Official site

Florida • South region36% combination or volunteer

Florida Fire Departments

Coastal counties funding fireboat crews and paramedic stipends.

Regional recruitment for 75 firefighter/paramedic roles statewide.

View Florida dashboard →

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue

Municipal

Doral, Florida

Stations: 70+ coverage
Staffing: 2,600 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban search and rescue, aviation, fireboat operations
Established: 1938

📞 (786) 331-5000🌐 Official site

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department

Municipal

Jacksonville, Florida

Stations: 65+ coverage
Staffing: 1,700 career firefighters
Specialty units: Maritime response, technical rescue, hazmat operations

📞 (904) 630-0500🌐 Official site

Tampa Fire Rescue

Municipal

Tampa, Florida

Stations: 24+ coverage
Staffing: 720 career firefighters
Specialty units: Port operations, technical rescue, community outreach

📞 (813) 274-7000🌐 Official site

Orlando Fire Department

Municipal

Orlando, Florida

Stations: 17+ coverage
Staffing: 600 career firefighters
Specialty units: High-rise response, theme park operations, EMS transport

📞 (407) 246-3473🌐 Official site

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue

District

West Palm Beach, Florida

Stations: 52+ coverage
Staffing: 1,700 career firefighters
Specialty units: Regional dispatch, fireboat program, specialty teams

📞 (561) 616-7000🌐 Official site

St. Johns County Fire Rescue

Combination

St. Augustine, Florida

Stations: 19+ coverage
Staffing: Career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland interface, technical rescue, marine operations

📞 (904) 209-1740🌐 Official site

New York • Northeast region62% combination or volunteer

New York Fire Departments

Dense urban departments coordinating with volunteer districts statewide.

Exam cycles open for FDNY EMS and volunteer lieutenant promotions.

View New York dashboard →

Fire Department of New York (FDNY)

Municipal

New York City, New York

Stations: 221+ coverage
Staffing: 11,000 career firefighters, 4,300 EMS
Specialty units: Urban search and rescue, marine ops, hazardous materials
Established: 1865

📞 (718) 999-2000🌐 Official site

Buffalo Fire Department

Municipal

Buffalo, New York

Stations: 19+ coverage
Staffing: 700 career firefighters
Specialty units: Great Lakes maritime response, winter operations

📞 (716) 851-5333🌐 Official site

Rochester Fire Department

Municipal

Rochester, New York

Stations: 13+ coverage
Staffing: 500 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS first response

📞 (585) 428-7020🌐 Official site

Syracuse Fire Department

Municipal

Syracuse, New York

Stations: 11+ coverage
Staffing: 360 career firefighters
Specialty units: ISO Class 1, technical rescue, EMS first response

📞 (315) 473-5525🌐 Official site

Fairview Fire District

Combination

Poughkeepsie, New York

Stations: 3+ coverage
Staffing: Career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Mutual aid coordination, EMS transport

📞 (845) 452-7824🌐 Official site

Washington • West region49% combination or volunteer

Washington Fire Departments

Puget Sound departments expanding marine and wildland response.

Regional apprenticeship programs funding EMT tuition and training.

View Washington dashboard →

Seattle Fire Department

Municipal

Seattle, Washington

Stations: 33+ coverage
Staffing: 1,100 career firefighters
Specialty units: Marine operations, high-rise response, health one

📞 (206) 386-1400🌐 Official site

Spokane Fire Department

Municipal

Spokane, Washington

Stations: 16+ coverage
Staffing: 300 career firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland interface, community risk reduction, EMS transport

📞 (509) 625-7000🌐 Official site

Eastside Fire & Rescue

Combination

Issaquah, Washington

Stations: 16+ coverage
Staffing: Career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Mountain rescue, hazardous materials, wildland prevention

📞 (425) 313-3200🌐 Official site

Tacoma Fire Department

Municipal

Tacoma, Washington

Stations: 19+ coverage
Staffing: 400 career firefighters
Specialty units: Port response, technical rescue, EMS transport

📞 (253) 591-5737🌐 Official site

Vancouver Fire Department

Municipal

Vancouver, Washington

Stations: 11+ coverage
Staffing: 200 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, wildland interface

📞 (360) 487-7400🌐 Official site

Illinois • Midwest region58% combination or volunteer

Illinois Fire Departments

Union contract renewals driving company officer promotions statewide.

Metro and suburban districts hiring 60+ new engineer/paramedics.

View Illinois dashboard →

Chicago Fire Department

Municipal

Chicago, Illinois

Stations: 96+ coverage
Staffing: 4,500 career firefighters & paramedics
Specialty units: Urban search and rescue, EMS transport, film/TV liaison

📞 (312) 746-6000🌐 Official site

Naperville Fire Department

Municipal

Naperville, Illinois

Stations: 10+ coverage
Staffing: 200 career firefighters
Specialty units: ISO Class 1, technical rescue, active threat training

📞 (630) 420-6142🌐 Official site

Aurora Fire Department

Municipal

Aurora, Illinois

Stations: 10+ coverage
Staffing: 250 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS transport

📞 (630) 256-3550🌐 Official site

Springfield Fire Department

Municipal

Springfield, Illinois

Stations: 12+ coverage
Staffing: 220 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, hazmat team, community outreach

📞 (217) 788-8474🌐 Official site

Plainfield Fire Protection District

Combination

Plainfield, Illinois

Stations: 5+ coverage
Staffing: Career & paid-on-call
Specialty units: EMS transport, technical rescue, community risk reduction

📞 (815) 436-4071🌐 Official site

Pennsylvania • Northeast region87% combination or volunteer

Pennsylvania Fire Departments

Strong volunteer tradition with career departments in major cities.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh hiring paramedics and engineers.

View Pennsylvania dashboard →

Philadelphia Fire Department

Municipal

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stations: 57+ coverage
Staffing: 2,200 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban search and rescue, hazmat operations, marine response
Established: 1870

📞 (215) 686-1300🌐 Official site

Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire

Municipal

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Stations: 30+ coverage
Staffing: 700 career firefighters
Specialty units: River rescue, technical rescue, hazmat operations

📞 (412) 323-7000🌐 Official site

Arizona • West region35% combination or volunteer

Arizona Fire Departments

Desert departments expanding wildland interface and heat emergency protocols.

Phoenix and Tucson seeking 100+ firefighter/paramedics in 2025.

View Arizona dashboard →

Phoenix Fire Department

Municipal

Phoenix, Arizona

Stations: 60+ coverage
Staffing: 1,600 career firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland interface, technical rescue, EMS transport
Established: 1886

📞 (602) 262-6011🌐 Official site

Tucson Fire Department

Municipal

Tucson, Arizona

Stations: 27+ coverage
Staffing: 650 career firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland interface, technical rescue, community risk reduction

📞 (520) 791-4512🌐 Official site

Ohio • Midwest region72% combination or volunteer

Ohio Fire Departments

Rust Belt cities modernizing apparatus and expanding community paramedicine.

Cincinnati and Columbus accepting lateral transfers for lieutenants.

View Ohio dashboard →

Columbus Division of Fire

Municipal

Columbus, Ohio

Stations: 35+ coverage
Staffing: 1,500 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS transport
Established: 1853

📞 (614) 645-2800🌐 Official site

Cincinnati Fire Department

Municipal

Cincinnati, Ohio

Stations: 26+ coverage
Staffing: 800 career firefighters
Specialty units: River rescue, technical rescue, hazmat operations

📞 (513) 352-3400🌐 Official site

North Carolina • South region68% combination or volunteer

North Carolina Fire Departments

Research Triangle growth spurring new station construction and recruitment.

Charlotte and Raleigh expanding fire academies for 2025 classes.

View North Carolina dashboard →

Charlotte Fire Department

Municipal

Charlotte, North Carolina

Stations: 43+ coverage
Staffing: 1,100 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, community risk reduction
Established: 1887

📞 (704) 336-2345🌐 Official site

Raleigh Fire Department

Municipal

Raleigh, North Carolina

Stations: 28+ coverage
Staffing: 650 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS first response

📞 (919) 996-3400🌐 Official site

Massachusetts • Northeast region74% combination or volunteer

Massachusetts Fire Departments

Strong urban fire tradition with comprehensive EMS transport services.

Boston hiring cadets and lateral firefighter positions for 2025.

View Massachusetts dashboard →

Boston Fire Department

Municipal

Boston, Massachusetts

Stations: 33+ coverage
Staffing: 1,500 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban search and rescue, marine operations, technical rescue
Established: 1678

📞 (617) 343-3550🌐 Official site

Worcester Fire Department

Municipal

Worcester, Massachusetts

Stations: 9+ coverage
Staffing: 450 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS first response

📞 (508) 799-8911🌐 Official site

Springfield Fire Department

Municipal

Springfield, Massachusetts

Stations: 11+ coverage
Staffing: 350 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat team, community outreach

📞 (413) 787-6900🌐 Official site

Cambridge Fire Department

Municipal

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Stations: 9+ coverage
Staffing: 280 career firefighters
Specialty units: High-rise response, hazmat operations, EMS transport

📞 (617) 349-4900🌐 Official site

New Jersey • Northeast region91% combination or volunteer

New Jersey Fire Departments

High population density with strong volunteer and career department mix.

Newark and Jersey City hiring firefighters and lateral transfers.

View New Jersey dashboard →

Newark Fire Division

Municipal

Newark, New Jersey

Stations: 16+ coverage
Staffing: 570 career firefighters
Specialty units: High-rise response, port operations, hazmat team
Established: 1797

📞 (973) 733-7400🌐 Official site

Jersey City Fire Department

Municipal

Jersey City, New Jersey

Stations: 14+ coverage
Staffing: 500 career firefighters
Specialty units: High-rise response, waterfront operations, technical rescue

📞 (201) 547-4000🌐 Official site

Paterson Fire Department

Municipal

Paterson, New Jersey

Stations: 9+ coverage
Staffing: 300 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban firefighting, technical rescue, hazmat operations

📞 (973) 321-1234🌐 Official site

Trenton Fire Department

Municipal

Trenton, New Jersey

Stations: 7+ coverage
Staffing: 200 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, technical rescue, EMS first response

📞 (609) 989-4100🌐 Official site

Georgia • South region52% combination or volunteer

Georgia Fire Departments

Rapid metro growth expanding station coverage and paramedic programs.

Atlanta Fire Rescue hiring 200+ positions to fill vacancies.

View Georgia dashboard →

Atlanta Fire Rescue Department

Municipal

Atlanta, Georgia

Stations: 35+ coverage
Staffing: 1,100 career firefighters
Specialty units: Airport operations, technical rescue, hazmat response
Established: 1882

📞 (404) 546-8000🌐 Official site

Savannah Fire Rescue

Municipal

Savannah, Georgia

Stations: 14+ coverage
Staffing: 350 career firefighters
Specialty units: Historic district response, marine operations, EMS transport

📞 (912) 651-6756🌐 Official site

Columbus Fire & EMS

Municipal

Columbus, Georgia

Stations: 17+ coverage
Staffing: 400 career firefighters
Specialty units: Fort Benning coordination, technical rescue, EMS transport

📞 (706) 653-4300🌐 Official site

Augusta Fire Department

Municipal

Augusta, Georgia

Stations: 19+ coverage
Staffing: 450 career firefighters
Specialty units: River rescue, hazmat operations, community outreach

📞 (706) 821-1858🌐 Official site

Michigan • Midwest region84% combination or volunteer

Michigan Fire Departments

Great Lakes departments strengthening maritime and ice rescue capabilities.

Detroit and Grand Rapids recruiting firefighter/paramedics.

View Michigan dashboard →

Detroit Fire Department

Municipal

Detroit, Michigan

Stations: 36+ coverage
Staffing: 1,200 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban firefighting, technical rescue, river operations
Established: 1860

📞 (313) 596-2900🌐 Official site

Grand Rapids Fire Department

Municipal

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Stations: 14+ coverage
Staffing: 350 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS first response

📞 (616) 456-3400🌐 Official site

Lansing Fire Department

Municipal

Lansing, Michigan

Stations: 9+ coverage
Staffing: 200 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, technical rescue, community risk reduction

📞 (517) 483-4200🌐 Official site

Ann Arbor Fire Department

Municipal

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Stations: 6+ coverage
Staffing: 130 career firefighters
Specialty units: University operations, technical rescue, EMS transport

📞 (734) 794-6310🌐 Official site

Virginia • South region69% combination or volunteer

Virginia Fire Departments

Northern Virginia departments investing in volunteer-career integration.

Fairfax County and Virginia Beach hiring paramedic positions.

View Virginia dashboard →

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

Combination

Fairfax, Virginia

Stations: 39+ coverage
Staffing: 1,400 career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, ALS transport
Established: 1947

📞 (703) 246-2121🌐 Official site

Virginia Beach Fire Department

Municipal

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Stations: 21+ coverage
Staffing: 750 career firefighters
Specialty units: Beach operations, maritime response, technical rescue

📞 (757) 385-4628🌐 Official site

Richmond Fire Department

Municipal

Richmond, Virginia

Stations: 20+ coverage
Staffing: 650 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, river rescue, hazmat operations

📞 (804) 646-6000🌐 Official site

Norfolk Fire-Rescue

Municipal

Norfolk, Virginia

Stations: 17+ coverage
Staffing: 500 career firefighters
Specialty units: Naval base coordination, port operations, EMS transport

📞 (757) 664-6600🌐 Official site

Colorado • West region58% combination or volunteer

Colorado Fire Departments

Mountain communities expanding wildland interface and high-altitude rescue.

Denver fully staffed, surrounding districts hiring paramedics.

View Colorado dashboard →

Denver Fire Department

Municipal

Denver, Colorado

Stations: 39+ coverage
Staffing: 1,100 career firefighters
Specialty units: High-altitude operations, airport rescue, technical rescue
Established: 1866

📞 (720) 913-2300🌐 Official site

Colorado Springs Fire Department

Municipal

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Stations: 22+ coverage
Staffing: 500 career firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland interface, technical rescue, mountain operations

📞 (719) 385-5950🌐 Official site

Aurora Fire Rescue

Municipal

Aurora, Colorado

Stations: 18+ coverage
Staffing: 400 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, EMS transport

📞 (303) 739-7000🌐 Official site

West Metro Fire Rescue

District

Lakewood, Colorado

Stations: 17+ coverage
Staffing: 350 career firefighters
Specialty units: Mountain rescue, wildland interface, technical rescue

📞 (303) 989-4307🌐 Official site

Oregon • West region67% combination or volunteer

Oregon Fire Departments

Pacific Northwest departments enhancing wildfire response and community outreach.

Portland Fire & Rescue receiving SAFER grants for station staffing.

View Oregon dashboard →

Portland Fire & Rescue

Municipal

Portland, Oregon

Stations: 31+ coverage
Staffing: 700 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, marine response
Established: 1853

📞 (503) 823-3700🌐 Official site

Eugene Springfield Fire

Municipal

Eugene, Oregon

Stations: 15+ coverage
Staffing: 200 career firefighters
Specialty units: Wildland interface, technical rescue, community outreach

📞 (541) 682-4900🌐 Official site

Salem Fire Department

Municipal

Salem, Oregon

Stations: 10+ coverage
Staffing: 150 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, technical rescue, EMS first response

📞 (503) 588-6200🌐 Official site

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue

District

Beaverton, Oregon

Stations: 28+ coverage
Staffing: 600 career firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, community paramedicine

📞 (503) 649-8577🌐 Official site

Minnesota • Midwest region81% combination or volunteer

Minnesota Fire Departments

Twin Cities metro expanding staffing levels and cold-weather rescue capabilities.

Minneapolis seeking to increase daily staffing to 108 firefighters.

View Minnesota dashboard →

Minneapolis Fire Department

Municipal

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Stations: 19+ coverage
Staffing: 400 career firefighters
Specialty units: Urban firefighting, technical rescue, ice rescue
Established: 1872

📞 (612) 673-3434🌐 Official site

St. Paul Fire Department

Municipal

St. Paul, Minnesota

Stations: 16+ coverage
Staffing: 400 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, ice rescue, hazmat operations

📞 (651) 224-7811🌐 Official site

Rochester Fire Department

Municipal

Rochester, Minnesota

Stations: 6+ coverage
Staffing: 120 career firefighters
Specialty units: Medical center coordination, technical rescue, EMS transport

📞 (507) 328-2400🌐 Official site

Wisconsin • Midwest region86% combination or volunteer

Wisconsin Fire Departments

Milwaukee expanding stations and paramedic units with 2024-2025 budget increases.

Milwaukee reopening stations and hiring 200 firefighters by 2025.

View Wisconsin dashboard →

Milwaukee Fire Department

Municipal

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Stations: 31+ coverage
Staffing: 700 career firefighters
Specialty units: Great Lakes maritime, technical rescue, EMS transport
Established: 1875

📞 (414) 286-8900🌐 Official site

Madison Fire Department

Municipal

Madison, Wisconsin

Stations: 14+ coverage
Staffing: 300 career firefighters
Specialty units: State capital response, lake rescue, technical rescue

📞 (608) 266-4420🌐 Official site

Green Bay Metro Fire Department

Municipal

Green Bay, Wisconsin

Stations: 8+ coverage
Staffing: 180 career firefighters
Specialty units: Bay operations, technical rescue, community outreach

📞 (920) 448-3208🌐 Official site

Maryland • South region79% combination or volunteer

Maryland Fire Departments

Washington-Baltimore corridor with strong volunteer tradition and career departments.

Baltimore City and Montgomery County recruiting paramedics and lieutenants.

View Maryland dashboard →

Baltimore City Fire Department

Municipal

Baltimore, Maryland

Stations: 37+ coverage
Staffing: 1,850 career firefighters
Specialty units: Port operations, technical rescue, hazmat response
Established: 1859

📞 (410) 396-3100🌐 Official site

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service

Combination

Rockville, Maryland

Stations: 38+ coverage
Staffing: 1,300 career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, hazmat operations, swift water rescue

📞 (240) 777-2400🌐 Official site

Prince George's County Fire/EMS

Combination

Largo, Maryland

Stations: 45+ coverage
Staffing: 800 career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Technical rescue, EMS transport, hazmat operations

📞 (301) 883-5200🌐 Official site

Anne Arundel County Fire Department

Combination

Millersville, Maryland

Stations: 33+ coverage
Staffing: 600 career & volunteer firefighters
Specialty units: Maritime operations, technical rescue, EMS transport

Washington-Baltimore corridor with strong volunteer tradition and career departments.

Baltimore City and Montgomery County recruiting paramedics and lieutenants.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fire Departments

Data is compiled with training chiefs, union representatives, and state fire marshals to help residents, recruits, and agency leaders understand the current landscape.

How many fire departments are in the United States?

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are more than 29,000 registered fire departments across the country. The majority are volunteer or combination agencies, while roughly one third are fully municipal career departments in metro regions. We refresh these counts quarterly as FEMA and state registries publish updated lists.

How do I find contact information for a specific department?

Choose a state and then the city that the department serves. Each profile includes public-facing phone numbers, websites, station counts, and staffing notes when available. For hiring or records requests, we also provide links to official HR or recruitment pages maintained by the department.

What is the difference between municipal and volunteer fire departments?

Municipal fire departments employ full-time career firefighters funded by city or county budgets. Volunteer or combination departments rely on paid-on-call or stipend firefighters with some full-time staff. Many suburban districts operate as taxing authorities with elected boards, blending career company officers with volunteer crews.

How often is department data updated?

We synchronize with FEMA’s National Fire Department Registry every 90 days and supplement missing contact information from municipal and district websites. When departments announce mergers or new station openings, we flag those updates within 48 hours to keep the directory current.

Can I submit corrections for a fire department listing?

Yes. Each state page includes a feedback link where chiefs, PIOs, or community members can submit contact corrections, station additions, or updated staffing details. Our team verifies submissions before publishing changes to ensure data quality.