CFD History

The permanent, paid Cleveland Fire Department was not created in seven days. In fact, after City Council decided it was the thing to do, it took about six months to put the first steamer into service and another four months to decide on how the Department should really be operated. On July 22, 1862, the Council's Committee on Fire & Water authorized negotiations begun on purchasing a steam fire engine and establishing the means for operating it once it arrived.

The official anniversary of The Cleveland Fire Department is April __ 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