CFD History

Cleveland Fire Department History

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CFD- April History

Engine Co 36
(88 yrs of continuous service)

Originally established at: Fire station 36, 3720 E. 131^st St on Apr. 12, 1922, where it remains today, housed with Hook & Ladder Co 36.
Station 36 is located within the 5th Battalion.

Engine 36 is also a Paramedic Engine Co.

Engine Co 43
(61 yrs of continuous service)

Originally established at: Fire station 43, 4525 Rocky River drive on Apr. 19, 1949, where it remains today. Station 43 is located within the 3rd battalion and is First Due to Hopkins Airport.

Hook & Ladder Co 23
(52 yrs of continuous service)

Hook & Ladder 23 has gone through many different company designations, but has always remained at Fire Station 23, where it currently is today, housed with Engine Co 23. Station 23 is located within the 3rd battalion.

Company designation

Disbanded and renamed

LADDER 18
Apr. 21. 1958

Dsbanded

Oct. 24, 1964

SNORKEL 2

Oct. 24, 1964

Disbanded

May 16, 1968

LADDER 18

May 16, 1968

Disbanded

Oct. 27, 1982

TF23L

Oct. 27, 1982

Disbanded

Aug, 1, 1983

Became

Lad 23 Aug. 1, 1983

147 years of tradition

The date April 9, 1863 is the official date that CFD was established by City Council in an Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance to Provide for the Reorganization of the Fire Department." That legislation replaced the Ordinance that had governed the volunteer department. There were four companies in service on April 9, 1863, the first at No. 1 having gone in service on December 17, 1862.

The official anniversary of The Cleveland Fire Department is April 9th of 1863.

1900 Cleveland Fire Dept. Movie:Click Here The movie was filmed on October 18, 1900 Collinwood Fire Video From Cleveland Public Library :Click Here 100 year anniversary March 4th, 1908

The big day finally arrived. On December 16, 1862, City Council took several actions. Phoenix Hand Engine Co. No. 4 (volunteers) was disbanded, severing all its connections with the Fire Department and ending a span of service which started in 1834. Their house on Frankfort St. was designated for the exclusive use of the new steam fire engine. The Fire & Water Committee was directed to equip and man the new steam fire engine for immediate use and make all necessary alterations in the engine house to adapt it for use by the steam fire engine. Ten men were quickly hired, apparently waiting in the wings, and Steamer #1 began service in the Cleveland Steam Fire Department.

Over 140 Years of Service