The City of Lynchburg has been served by organized fire departments since 1799

First department was called the Lynchburg Hose Company

Following the installation of alarm boxes in 1883, the Fire Department became a paid career organization.

In May of 1883, a major fire downtown destroyed an entire city block and caused the death of five firefighters.

When the department was formed in 1883, there were 35 employees that received $30.00 a month with only one day off per month.

Original fire stations were located at 512 Fifth Street, 6th and Commerce Streets, and Commerce Street between 11th and 12th streets.

Station 2 opened in Fall of 1883

The last piece of horse drawn apparatus was purchased in 1901

In 1905, Station 5 opened in Rivermont (Later renumbered as Station 4)

Department became motorized in 1914 with the purchase of new Engine 6

Transient Bureau fire in 1934 caused greatest loss of civilian life (22) in LFD history

Two work shift system was created in 1937 by Chief Lewis Rapp

Fire Prevention Bureau was created in 1944

Engine 7 was placed in service in 1947

Original affiliation with International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) was in 1951

Original Station 2 was replaced in 1957

New Station 3 was built at 4701 Fort Avenue in 1968

First African-American employee was hired September 20,1964

Marjorie McCraw, the first female employee was hired August 1966

New Station 5 opened on 4800 Boonsboro Road in 1971

Everett Stewart and Ronald Stevens were killed on February 25, 1975. At box alarm 317 on Main Street.

Assistant Chief Rank was replaced with the rank of Commander III.

On January 1, 1976, the City annexed 25 square miles of Bedford and Campbell counties, doubling the size of the City

Engines 8 and 9 were placed in service to meet the needs of Timberlake and Old Forest Road areas in 1976

The third work shift “C” was added in 1976 thereby changing the work schedule to the current 24 / 48 work shifts.

Battalion 2 was placed in service following the cities annexation

In the latter part of 1976, the LFD began providing EMS after the closure of Metropolitan Ambulance Company

Current stations 1, 7 and 8 opened in 1980

In 1982 Linda Eagle became the first female assigned to 24 hour work shift.

Fire Department Vehicle Maintenance Shop opened in 1983 

Lynchburg Communications Center (Lyn-Comm) was created in 1985 by combining the Fire & Police Dispatchers and implementing the City’s first 911 system.

New Station 4 opened in 1991 at 410 Birch Street.

In 1992, Ninette Heath became the first female company officer in the department

Engine 9 was taken out of service and Truck 2 placed in service in July 1996

Lynchburg Fire Department became an internationally accredited organization through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International in 2006